1. The bronze altar (1-18)

The bronze altar was for sacrificing animals as burnt offerings. The basins were for cleansing. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. The sacrificial system was the main point of the temple, for this was the way God provided for sinful man to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with himself. It points to the perfect sacrifice of Christ (Heb 9:14). The bronze Sea was not in the original tabernacle. In Exe 47 and Rev 22 it becomes a river flowing from God for life and healing. Huram-Abi of Tyre was the skilled craftsman who made the temple beautiful and functional.

2. The golden altar (19-22)

The golden altar was for burning incense. It was the place of prayer. It stood before the curtain to the Most Holy Place. The old tabernacle in the desert had only one table and one lampstand; the temple had 10 of each. The lampstands and the bread of the Presence placed on the tables represented the presence of the living God in his house.

Application: Lord, thank you for Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
One Word: Repent, be cleansed and pray