Exodus 38:7
Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.
Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it.
This phrase describes the practical aspect of the altar's design, emphasizing its portability. The use of poles and rings is consistent with the instructions given in Exodus 27:6-7, highlighting the importance of mobility for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The altar's portability symbolizes the presence of God moving with His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Exodus narrative. The use of acacia wood for the poles, as specified earlier in Exodus, reflects the durability and availability of materials in the Sinai region. This design also prefigures the concept of God dwelling among His people, which is fully realized in the New Testament with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14).

He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.
The construction of the altar with boards, making it hollow, indicates a practical approach to its design, ensuring it was lightweight and easier to transport. This hollow structure would have allowed for efficient use of materials and facilitated the altar's function during sacrifices. The altar's design reflects the broader theme of God's provision and guidance, as He equips His people with what they need for worship. The hollow nature of the altar can also be seen as a metaphor for the human heart, which is meant to be filled with the presence of God. In a typological sense, the altar points to Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and mediator between God and humanity, fulfilling the sacrificial system's requirements once and for all (Hebrews 10:10-14).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled craftsmen appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the altar.

2. The Altar of Burnt Offering
A central piece of the Tabernacle where sacrifices were made, symbolizing atonement and worship.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given the Law and instructions for worship through Moses.

5. The Wilderness Journey
The period of 40 years when the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land, during which the Tabernacle was constructed and used.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The construction of the altar according to God's specific instructions highlights the importance of obedience in worship.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The altar represents the need for atonement and points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Mobility and Presence
The design of the altar with poles for carrying signifies God's presence with His people wherever they go.

Holiness and Reverence
The altar's construction and use remind us of the holiness required in approaching God.

Community and Worship
The communal aspect of the altar's use underscores the importance of corporate worship and unity among believers.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the construction of the altar in Exodus 38:7 reflect the importance of following God's instructions in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the altar of burnt offering foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how can this understanding deepen our worship?

3. Considering the mobility of the altar, how can we ensure that we carry God's presence with us in our daily lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' use of the altar about the importance of community and corporate worship today?

5. How can Romans 12:1 inspire us to live as living sacrifices, and what practical steps can we take to embody this in our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 27:1-8
Provides the initial instructions for building the altar, emphasizing its design and purpose.

Hebrews 9:1-10
Discusses the earthly sanctuary and its regulations, including the altar, as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

Leviticus 1:1-17
Details the procedures for burnt offerings, highlighting the altar's role in the sacrificial system.

Numbers 4:13-14
Describes the duties of the Levites in covering and transporting the altar, ensuring its sanctity and mobility.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial system and the altar's significance.
The Brazen Altar, the Laver, and the CourtJ. Orr Exodus 38:1-21
The Court and its LessonsJ. Urquhart Exodus 38:1-31
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Ithamar, Levites, Moses, Uri
Places
Sinai
Topics
Altar, Bear, Boarded, Boards, Bringeth, Carry, Carrying, Hollow, Inserted, Lifting, Opposite, Planks, Poles, Rings, Rods, Sides, Staffs, Staves, Wherewith, Withal, Wood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 38:1-7

     7302   altar

Library
The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
I. NAMES AND TITLES. 1. THE BIBLE. 2. THE TESTAMENTS. 3. THE SCRIPTURES. 4. THE WORD OF GOD. II. INSPIRATION. 1. DEFINITION. 2. DISTINCTIONS. a) Revelation. b) Illumination. c) Reporting. 3. VIEWS: a) Natural Inspiration. b) Christian Illumination. c) Dynamic Theory. d) Concept Theory. e) Verbal Inspiration. f) Partial Inspiration. g) Plenary Inspiration. 4. THE CLAIMS OF THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES: a) The Old Testament. b) The New Testament. 5. THE CHARACTER (OR DEGREES) OF INSPIRATION. a) Actual
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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