The Altar of Burnt Offering a Type of Christ

    Ex 27:1-9

    PARALLELS.

    I. Altar, in Hebrew, Mizbeach; in Greek, Thusiasterion; so named of sacrifices offered thereon; it was anointed, dedicated, sanctified, to be most holy, that it might sanctify the gifts offered thereon: this Altar and sacrifice, signified Jesus Christ, sanctifying himself for his church and people, that so he might sanctify them.

    II. This Altar was but one, and in one place, and the sacrifice only to be offered upon it; signifying thereby that we have but one altar of redemption and salvation, viz., Jesus Christ alone; who only once, and in one place offered up a sufficient and unreiterable sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

    III. This Altar hath four horns also. See altar of Incense.

    IV. It had a brazen gate in the midst of it, which let the ashes and like things fall through, &c., whereon the fire was put, which might signify two things: 1. The humanity of our Saviour, who bore the fire of God's wrath for our sins; thus Guild, Isa 53:12.

    2. It signifieth, saith Ainsworth, the place wherein the holy fire always burneth; that is, the heart which sustaineth also the sacrifices, and where all ashes and excrements of corruption are inwardly conveyed away, as they are discovered by the Word and Spirit of God; as also our sanctification by affliction, 2Ti 1:3; Ro 1:1-2; Heb 7:14.

    V. In that the Altar was to be made of shittim wood, and overlaid with brass, that it might endure the fire; it might figure out the human nature of Christ, supported or sustained by the Deity, to endure God's wrath for our sins.

    VI. They that served at the Altar, lived of the Altar: so they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.

    DISPARITY.

    THE Altar was one thing, and the sacrifice another: but Christ is both the Altar, Sacrifice, and Sacrificer too; he offered up his body by the eternal Spirit, as a Sacrifice acceptable to God the Father.