Exodus 38:1

And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

Exodus 38:1 (KJV)

Context

Exodus 38:1 belongs to the account of building the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary the Israelites constructed in the wilderness under God’s direction. The tabernacle was the central place of worship and a visible sign that God dwelt among His people during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

This verse records the making of the “altar of burnt offering.” The craftsmen followed the pattern God gave earlier in Exodus 27:1, showing their careful obedience to His commands. The altar stood in the outer courtyard, just outside the Holy Place, so it was the first object a person met when approaching the tabernacle.

Meaning

The altar was built of shittim wood, also called acacia wood, a durable material that resisted decay. It was square, measuring five cubits on each side, about 7.5 feet or 2.3 meters, and stood three cubits high, about 4.5 feet or 1.4 meters. Its foursquare shape suggests stability and completeness, while its modest height made it accessible to the priests who served there.

Although this verse does not mention the bronze overlay, the following verses describe it. Bronze in Scripture often represents judgment and purification. The altar, therefore, stood as a constant reminder that sin brings judgment and that cleansing requires a sacrifice.

The altar was portable, fitted with rings and staves for transport. This detail taught that worship of God was to remain central even while the people moved through the wilderness. The fire on the altar was kept burning continually, symbolizing the ongoing need for atonement and the unceasing worship due to God.

Biblical connections

The altar of burnt offering points to Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. The continual animal sacrifices could only cover sin temporarily, but Christ’s death removed the need for further offerings. Through faith in Him, believers gain direct access to God, as Hebrews 10:19-22 explains.

The acacia wood, being durable and incorruptible, hints at the enduring nature of God’s covenant and the lasting power of Christ’s sacrifice. The square shape may also symbolize the four corners of the earth, suggesting that the atonement was intended for all people, not only Israel.

Application

The altar calls believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as Romans 12:1 urges. This means surrendering personal will and desires to God’s will and dedicating every area of life to His service.

The altar’s location outside the Holy Place teaches that approach to God is possible only through sacrifice. For the Christian, that sacrifice is Christ Himself. There is no other way into God’s presence.

The consuming fire on the altar emphasizes the need for holiness and purity. Believers are called to be holy because God is holy, as 1 Peter 1:15-16 states. The process of sanctification involves God purifying His people from sin and shaping them into the image of Christ.

The presence of the altar in the camp reminds us that God desires to dwell among His people. Through the sacrificial system, He provided a way for sinful people to have communion with Him. Today, through the Holy Spirit, God lives in the hearts of believers, making a personal relationship with Him possible.

Reflection

The detailed instructions for the altar show that God cares about how He is worshiped. The Israelites did not build according to their own ideas but followed the pattern God gave. This challenges believers to approach worship with reverence and obedience, honoring God’s Word rather than personal preference.

The altar also reveals the seriousness of sin and the cost of atonement. Every sacrifice pointed to the reality that sin separates people from God and that forgiveness requires a substitute. This deepens gratitude for the cross, where Christ bore the judgment that sinners deserved.

Finally, the altar’s continual fire reminds us that worship is not a one-time event but a way of life. Just as the fire never went out, believers are called to maintain a constant devotion to God, offering praise and service each day. The altar, though made of wood and bronze, teaches enduring truths about sacrifice, access, holiness, and the presence of God.