Altars

In the biblical context, altars are structures upon which offerings and sacrifices are made to God. They serve as a focal point for worship and a means of communication between God and His people. The construction and use of altars are deeply rooted in the religious practices of the Israelites, as well as in the broader ancient Near Eastern context.

Old Testament Altars

The first mention of an altar in the Bible is found in Genesis 8:20, where Noah builds an altar to the LORD after the flood: "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. Taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar." This act of worship and thanksgiving sets a precedent for the use of altars throughout the Old Testament.

The patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, frequently built altars as acts of worship and as memorials of divine encounters. For instance, in Genesis 12:7, Abraham builds an altar at Shechem after God promises the land to his descendants: "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'I will give this land to your offspring.' So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him."

The Mosaic Law provides detailed instructions for the construction and use of altars. The altar of burnt offering, described in Exodus 27:1-8, was a central feature of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze and was used for sacrifices and offerings. The altar of incense, described in Exodus 30:1-10, was placed inside the Tabernacle and was used for burning incense as a symbol of prayer ascending to God.

New Testament Altars

In the New Testament, the concept of altars shifts from physical structures to a more spiritual understanding. Hebrews 13:10 speaks of a spiritual altar: "We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat." This reflects the transition from the Old Covenant, with its physical sacrifices, to the New Covenant, where Christ's sacrifice on the cross fulfills and surpasses the need for physical altars.

Sacred Stones

Sacred stones, or standing stones, are another significant element in biblical worship and commemoration. These stones often served as memorials of divine encounters or significant events in the history of God's people.

Old Testament Sacred Stones

One of the earliest examples of a sacred stone is found in Genesis 28:18, where Jacob sets up a stone pillar at Bethel after his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven: "Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it." This act consecrates the stone as a memorial of God's promise to Jacob.

In Joshua 4:20-24, twelve stones are set up at Gilgal as a memorial of the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River: "And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, "What do these stones mean?" tell them, "Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground."'"

Prohibitions and Misuse

While altars and sacred stones were integral to worship, the Bible also contains warnings against their misuse. Deuteronomy 16:21-22 prohibits the setting up of sacred stones for idol worship: "Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God, and do not set up for yourselves a sacred stone, for the LORD your God hates them."

The prophets frequently condemned the Israelites for erecting altars and sacred stones to false gods, as seen in Hosea 10:1-2: "Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for itself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. Their heart is deceitful; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones."

In summary, altars and sacred stones in the Bible serve as important symbols of worship, covenant, and remembrance. They reflect the relationship between God and His people, while also highlighting the dangers of idolatry and the need for true devotion to the LORD.