Thurs.’s Devo - The Brazen Altar/ The Cross

Read Ex. 38:1-8 Next was the brazen altar which is where they burned the sacrifices. It was 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet by 4.5 feet. It had to be big to support the big animals that would be laid on it. This altar was the picture of the cross. It also had horns on it which the people could run to and take hold of when they needed mercy. Isn’t that what we do when we are being chased by conviction or condemnation; we run to the cross and appropriate Christ’s blood for our situation. This altar was like a big brass bar-b-que pit. There was nothing pretty about the crucifixion yet underneath all the blood and suffering was the silver lining of our salvation. I wonder if they polished this brass everyday because I know how quickly brass tarnishes. Maybe God chose brass because he knew how quickly the power of the cross would tarnish in our minds and hearts. All the vessels were made of brass also. It stood right in front of the laver which was also made of brass which came from the looking glasses of the women. Since this laver was where the priests would be washing their hands ceremonially as a picture of being cleansed within, I think seeing their reflection in this brass reminded them of who they were. 1 Co. 13:12 says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” We read the Bible and can see ourselves in it but we will never see ourselves as God sees us till we get to heaven or he gives us a divine revelation. James 1:23 says, ‘For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholds himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was. 25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. So James, Jesus brother, tells us that if we meditate on God’s Word and obey it, then our ways will be blessed. That sounds like a good deal to me! Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you, for your Word and your Holy Spirit. Speak to us today and show us your ways.