Exodus 27:2-3
“Overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze.” (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Exodus 27:1-8 and Hebrews 10:1-18
We are moving outside the temple and into the Outer Court of the tabernacle. The first object God instructs Moses to make is the Alter of Burnt Offering or the Brazen Alter. This is where the animals would be sacrificed as a sin offering to atone for the Israelite’s sins.
It’s relatively large compared to the other objects inside the temple being five cubits square and standing three cubits tall. That would make it about eight feet square and five feet tall. Obviously there is practicality to those dimensions since they are burning animals on it. The number five shows up a lot in the tabernacle. As we have already seen, the number five often symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor toward humans. Since five represents grace, when it’s multiplied by itself like in the 5×5 square of this alter, it would mean grace upon grace.
The alter is made of acacia wood much like everything else in the tabernacle. However, the alter is covered in bronze. In fact, everything outside the temple will be covered in bronze. Contrast that with everything inside the temple being made of acacia wood and covered in gold. Gold is symbolic of God’s kingship, glory and holiness. Bronze is a symbol of God’s righteous judgment due as a result of sin.
Depending on the Bible translation you are reading, the alter could either be made of copper, bronze or brass. The Hebrew word used for this metal is nᵉḥōšet or necho′sheth. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin widely used for ornaments, weapons, coins, and other purposes in ancient times. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is believed to not be known until the thirteenth century although some scholars dispute that claim. Since the definition of the Hebrew word is vague here, the term copper alloy is probably the best definition of this word. But for the sake of explaining this every day, we will stick with bronze.
The alter was placed near the entrance to the tabernacle so it would be the first thing seen upon entering. The alter was covered in bronze as were all of its utensils and the poles for carrying it. The entire scene spoke of judgement. The fire that never went out, the continual sacrifices and shedding of blood and the use of bronze on everything spoke volumes of God’s hatred of sin and God’s judgment upon that sin. Just like the cross.
The bronze alter is a symbol or type of the cross of Christ. When we look at the cross it speaks volumes of God’s hatred of sin and His judgment upon our sin. The Israelite priests could only enter into God’s presence once they had sacrificed on the alter and shed the animal’s blood for their sin. “But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb 10:3-4).
Likewise, we are not allowed to enter God’s presence without a sacrifice for our sins. But because of the cross where Jesus was sacrificed for us, we now get to enter God’s presence as blameless and without sin. “And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary” (Heb 10:18). Jesus was the final sacrifice. “When this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb 10:12-14).
Since we are made perfect and holy, we will see Jesus again and live with him for eternity. And bronze will take on an entirely different meaning on this side of the cross. The apostle John saw this Jesus and recorded what he saw in Revelation. “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters” (Rev 1:14-15).
Bronze is harder than gold and silver and better able to resist heat and fire. Bronze is a symbol of God’s righteous judgment but it also is a symbol of the ability to endure. Jesus alone possessed the power to endure the fire of God’s holiness. Only Jesus could withstand the cross and not be consumed by the flames of God’s wrath and divine judgment.
Christ in the Old Testament 
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