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Exodus 38:1–20 “At the Altar of Life”

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3–5 minutes

Exodus 38:1-20 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

After constructing the tabernacle and the furnishings that would be placed inside it, Bezalel made the altar of burnt offering and the basin for washing, which were to be placed in the outer courtyard. He first made the altar of burnt offering according to the instructions Moses had received from the Lord (verses 1–7). Burnt offerings were to be presented there every morning and evening, and other sacrifices were made as needed. He then made the basin for washing (verse 8), which was for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle. Finally, he made the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle (verses 9–20). The tabernacle was to be built facing east to west, with the entrance on the east side, the direction of the sunrise. All of these things were built exactly as God had instructed Moses on Mount Sinai.

Meditation:

Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus fulfilled “the Law and the Prophets” in two ways. First, the Law and the Prophets foretold that the Messiah would come and complete the work of salvation. That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. The name “Jesus Christ” means “Jesus who came as the Messiah.” Second, the Law and the Prophets were an incomplete revelation to rely on until something perfect came. Through Jesus, God revealed what is perfect.

The tabernacle (and later the temple) was a temporary and imperfect tool to be used until the perfect One came. When Jesus Christ offered an eternal and perfect sacrifice on the cross, the temporary and imperfect tabernacle (or temple) lost its necessity. Those who are in Jesus Christ no longer need to offer sacrifices of animals, and thus the altar of burnt offering became obsolete. Believers now come before God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, receive His grace, and—through that grace—offer their daily lives as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1).

In fact, God repeatedly declared through the prophets that He cared more about the amount of love, justice, and truth offered on the altar of life than the quantity of sacrifices offered on the altar of burnt offerings. For example, through the prophet Isaiah, God said:
“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. … Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” (Isaiah 1:11, 16–17) By removing the altar of burnt offering and the temple, Jesus left us only the altar of life.

Prayer:

Lord, we pray that our words and actions today may be offered to You as a fragrant sacrifice. May our thoughts be filled with truth, our words with honesty, and our actions with love. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God no longer wants animal sacrifices but desires our daily lives to be offerings full of love, justice, and truth. Through Jesus, we now worship God not just at a temple but through our daily lives.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • What do you think it means to give your life to God like a gift?
    • Can you think of a kind thing you did or said this week that might make God smile?
    • If Jesus doesn’t need animal sacrifices anymore, what kind of “gift” do you think He wants from us?
  • Youth
    • Jesus removed the need for temple sacrifices—what does it mean to you that your life is now the altar?
    • Which of the three—truth in thought, honesty in speech, or love in action—is hardest for you? Why?
    • How can we practice offering our lives to God in a world that focuses more on performance and appearance than love and justice?

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