The Altar of Sacrifice: A Call to Holy Worship
"And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon." - Ezekiel 43:18
Ezekiel 43:18, "And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon."
In the midst of the prophetic visions that define the book of Ezekiel, we encounter this profound instruction regarding the altar—a sacred place for worship, sacrifice, and the meeting of heaven and earth. As we delve into this scripture, we may find ourselves drawn to reflect on the significance of the altar in both the ancient context of Israel and our contemporary walk with God.
The altar was not merely a physical structure in the temple; it represented the heart of Israel's relationship with God. It was the place of encounter, the site of atonement, and a symbol of God's consuming holiness. The seriousness of the ordinances associated with the altar highlights a paramount principle in our spirituality: God desires to dwell among His people, but such closeness requires reverence, purity, and sacrifice.
When God commands His people to establish ordinances of the altar, He points to the necessity of a deliberate approach to worship. Worship is not casual; it is intentional, filled with awe and respect for the Almighty. The burnt offerings specified here reflect a total commitment to God, as these offerings were to be consumed completely by fire. This speaks volumes about our own lives. Are we offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God? (Romans 12:1) Are we prepared to give our all in worship?
Blood plays a central role in this passage, connecting us to the theme of atonement. In the Old Testament, the sprinkling of blood was an essential act that symbolized the covering of sin and the restoration of relationship between God and humanity. The origin of this act can be traced back to the very beginnings of humanity's existence—sin entered the world, and with it came the realization of a deep need for reconciliation (Genesis 3). The altar, with its blood offerings, pointed towards the ultimate sacrifice that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 9:22, we read, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness)." The sacrifices made at the altar in Ezekiel were shadows of the greater reality found in Christ's sacrifice on the cross. When we come to the altar of grace today, we remember that it is through His blood that we are saved, redeemed, and brought into a new covenant with our Creator—a covenant sealed with the blood of the Lamb that speaks of better things than Abel’s blood (Hebrews 12:24).
As we contemplate these ordinances, let us recognize that approaching God’s altar requires a heart willing to repent, to lay down our burdens and our sins. The act of offering burnt sacrifices was meant to bring the worshiper into a state of complete surrender. When is the last time we truly surrendered ourselves to God? Have we become too comfortable in our faith, neglecting the call to present ourselves before Him in worship and sacrifice?
Moreover, this passage is a reminder of God’s desire to be in the midst of His people, to instruct us on how to worship Him rightly. In our day, the call to holiness remains unchanged. We are invited to lay aside all that hinders our relationship with Him and to approach His altar with reverence. As we worship, may we remember the ordinances of the altar—a call to engage in a meaningful relationship with God through Christ, acknowledging the sacrifice made for us, and responding with lives that reflect His love and holiness.
Let us pray: Father, thank You for the call to worship you at the altar. Help us not to take this privilege lightly, but to come prepared with hearts full of reverence and gratitude. Let us remember the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, and strive daily to live as a holy offering unto You. Amen.
In the quiet of your heart, consider what barriers may be preventing you from a deeper commitment to God. Worship Him earnestly, for He is worthy.
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Ezekiel 43:18 Artwork
Ezekiel 43:18 - "¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon."
"¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon." - Ezekiel 43:18
Isaiah 43:18-19
Isaiah 43:18-19
Ezekiel 43:1 - "Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:"
Ezekiel 43:4 - "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east."
Isaiah 43:18 - "¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."
Ezekiel 43:16 - "And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof."
Ezekiel 43:15 - "So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns."
Ezekiel 43:6 - "And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me."
Ezekiel 23:43 - "Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?"
Ezekiel 40:43 - "And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering."
Ezekiel 43:5 - "So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house."
Ezekiel 43:21 - "Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary."
Ezekiel 43:10 - "¶ Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern."
Ezekiel 43:22 - "And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock."
Ezekiel 43:9 - "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."
Ezekiel 43:12 - "This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house."
Ezekiel 43:26 - "Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.
Ezekiel 43:2 - "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."
Ezekiel 43:23 - "When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish."
Ezekiel 43:24 - "And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD."
"Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves." - Ezekiel 43:26
"And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory." - Ezekiel 43:2
Ezekiel 43:25 - "Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish."
Ezekiel 43:20 - "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."
Luke 18:43 - "And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God."
"Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:" - Ezekiel 43:1
Ezekiel 43:19 - "And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering."
"¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old." - Isaiah 43:18