LESSON 29
THE BRAZEN ALTAR, THE COURT, & THE OIL
By E. L. Bynum, Pastor
Memory Verses Ex. 27:20 (N.W. 28:3)————Lesson Ex. 27:1-21
I. THE ALTAR OF BRASS. V. 1-8
The word “altar” makes us think of worship. Here it is the Hebrew word “mizbeach” and means slaughter place. It is a place of humility, submission and sacrifice.
In our study of the tabernacle, we now move from the inside to the outside, but inside the fence that surrounded it. Once inside the gate of the fence, you would come first to the brazen altar. Ex. 39:6; 40:33. It was the place of sacrifice and where the burnt offerings were made. It stands for the cross where Jesus was crucified. You could not enter the tabernacle without coming by the brazen altar. The fire was ever burning on it, ready for any sinner to bring his sacrifice. It was here where God met with His people.
A. The Material and Shape. v. 1-2
1. Made from acacia wood; typifying our Lord’s sinless humanity. v. 1. A desert tree in a dry land. Isa. 53:2, For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
2. Covered with brass, v. 2. (Speaks of judgment.)
a. Figuratively, that which is common and vile. II Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(1) First brass made by the descendants of Cain. Gen. 4:22
(2) Samson bound with fetters of brass. Judges 16:21
(3) Zedekiah bound with fetters of brass. II Kings 5:27
(4) Goliath’s helmet and amour made of brass. I Sam. 17:5-6
(5) David refused to wear Saul’s amour of brass. I Sam. 17:38
b. As opposed to that which is considered more pure as silver and gold.
c. Moses made the serpent of brass. Num. 21:9, And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. John 3:14, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.
3. The size, shape and the horns. v. 1-2
a. Three cubits high. The number of the divine trinity. (4 ½ feet)
b. Five cubits long and broad. The number of grace. (7 ½ feet)
c. Four horns on the four corners. The number of the earth. Salvation available to the four corners of the earth. Rev. 7:1, And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth …. Matt. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
B. The Vessels And Grate. v. 3-5
1. The vessels were needful to implement the sacrifice, v. 3
2. The grate of woven brass. v. 4
3. The grate was positioned in the midst of “the altar.”
4. The pans were for the receiving of the ashes.
5. Note that all these items were made of brass and this represents judgment.
C. The Staves. v. 7-8
1. The staves were to make it portable. No matter where a person may go, he still needs the sacrifice.
2. All made according to the pattern. Ex. 25:40
D. Types Seen In The Brazen Altar.
1. It was called the altar of burnt offering. Ex. 30:28
2. This burnt offering was a “sweet savour” unto the Lord. Lev. 1:9; Eph, 5:2, And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3. An offering that satisfied the God of heaven. Isa. 53:11, He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
4. This altar was made by the hands of men according to God’s pattern. Ex. 25:40. Acts 2:23, Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.
5. A place of sacrifice and fire.
II. THE COURT OF THE TABERNACLE. v. 9-19
A. The North And South Side. v. 9-11
1. The court was always to face the east. v. 13. Num. 3:38, But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
a. The fence was to keep anyone from entering the wrong way.
b. There was only one way, and that was through the gate and by the altar.
c. The only way to get to God, is through Christ the door, and the cross. John 10:9, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
2. The hangings of fine linen, v. 9
a. Linen represents the righteous of Christ. I Cor. 1:30, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
b. Also the imputed righteous of the saints. II Cor. 5:21. Rev. 19:8, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
3. The pillars, sockets and fillets. v. 11-12
a. The pillars held up the linen (righteousness).
b. The fillets of silver (redemption) stationed the pillars at right intervals.
c. Each pillar was properly positioned with another by the fillets of silver. Eph. 2:21-22, In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
4. There were 60 pillars which is man’s number. It is man’s sin that shuts him out. Sixty is a multiple of five, the number of grace. Through the gate and by the altar there was a way in for all.
B. The West And East Sides. v. 12-15
The Hebrew word that is translated “east” in v. 13, and is translated “forward” in Job 23:8.
C. The Gate Eastward. v. 16-17; Num. 3:38
1. Hangings of 20 cubits; blue, purple, scarlet and linen (white). v. 16
a. “Wrought” with needle work. v. 16. Psa. 139:15, My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Here David speaks of his body being “curiously wrought” (embroidered). Heb. 10:5, Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.
b. The gate was according to the pattern also.
2. The “way” of entrance. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 10:7-9, Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
3. The “gate” (Christ Jesus) permitted entrance within the court of “linen” (God’s righteousness), that once kept him without.
D. The Court Dimension, v. 18-19
1. 50 cubits wide; 100 cubits long; 5 cubits high.
I Pet. 4:10, As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2. Remember that five is the number of grace. All of these dimensions are multiples of 5. This represents the manifold grace of God.
3. The pins and cords of the court for strength and stabilization, Ex, 35:17-18
4. The vessels were all made of brass. v. 19. This reveals that there is no way to God without judgment.
III. THE OIL FOR THE LAMPS. v 20-21. Ex. 25:37; Lev. 24:2-4
A. Oil A Type Of The Holy Spirit. v. 20
1. God’s way of bringing true light into the world. Gen. 1:2-3
2. God’s way of bringing true light into the world. Luke 1:35. John 1:4-5, 7-9, In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
3. The oil was “pure,” “beaten” and eternal, “to burn always.”
4. Without the oil there could be no other service in the Holy Place.
5. The light was the result of the oil and lamp being united.
B. The Relationship Between The Light And Service. v. 21
1. It was performed “before the testimony.”
2. It was a service of Aaron and his sons.
3. It was a “statue” for future generations.
—by E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What were the dimensions of the brazen altar?
2. What do the following typify? The wood; brass; the number five.
3. The burnt offering was a “_____________” unto the Lord.
4. All things pertaining to the altar was to be made according to what?
5. Give the dimensions of the court.
6. What direction did it face?
7. On what side was the gate?
8. How does the gate typify Christ?
9. Give the meaning of the oil and where the oil came from?