“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” – Colossians 2:17, ESV
At the entrance of the tabernacle’s courtyard stood the bronze altar—the first object a worshiper encountered when approaching God. It was the place where sacrifices were made, where blood was shed, and where sin was judged. But it was also the place where mercy was offered. At the bronze altar, grace meets judgment—a clear prophetic picture of the cross of Jesus Christ.
God gave precise instructions for the altar: “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.” – Exodus 27:1, ESV
The altar’s 5 cubit square dimension speaks of grace (for example, the five offerings described in Leviticus 1–7, the five wounds of Christ, or the five books of Moses). Its height was 3 cubits, a number that represents divine completeness (such as the Trinity and Christ’s victory on the third day). These measurements proclaim the gospel: the number five symbolises that salvation is God’s gracious work, established by His divine completion, symbolised by the number three.
Though God commanded animal sacrifices, they were not His ultimate desire: “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.’
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.’” – Hebrews 10:5-7, ESV
Animal sacrifices pointed forward to something and Someone, far greater. Every animal laid on that altar was a shadow of the true sacrifice to come—the Lamb of God, Jesus Himself:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29, ESV
Even the material, bronze, tells a story as this is symbolic of judgment. At the bronze altar, judgment fell, but grace was provided.
Each corner of the altar had a horn, which was sprinkled with blood during sacrificial offerings, when the altar was consecrated, and on the day of atonement (Exodus 29:12). This showed that atoning power rests in the blood. Desperate men sometimes fled to these horns seeking mercy: a vivid prophetic picture of sinners fleeing to the cross of Christ for salvation.
Both Adonijah (1 Kings 1:50) and Joab (1 Kings 2:28) sought refuge and safety by grabbing the horns of the altar. In both accounts, we see the altar as a place of mercy, but also justice: Adonijah received mercy as repentance leads to life, but Joab received judgment because unrepentant sin is not excused. This becomes a powerful shadow of Christ; the cross is a refuge for those who submit to the King:
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
– Psalm 18:2, ESV
It was also from this altar that coals were taken to be used to burn incense before God. Even the high priest’s ministry depended on its sacrifice. Our worship, prayer, and access to God flow from the sacrifice of Christ. The altar of incense (intercession) stands only because of the bronze altar (atonement): “He always lives to make intercession for them.” – Hebrews 7:25, ESV
So, we see that the cross is the true bronze altar as made clear in the New Testament: “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” – Hebrews 10:10, ESV
Jesus fulfilled the altar’s purpose when He bore judgment in our place. One perfect, all-sufficient, eternal sacrifice that did not need to be repeated. Because His blood was shed, we now draw near: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” – Hebrews 10:19–22, ESV
The bronze altar stood at the entrance because no one comes to God without going through the sacrifice. In Christ, the shadow becomes substance. There at the cross, judgment that should have been ours fell on Him; and grace we could never deserve flows freely to us. Our response?
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” – Romans 12:1, ESV
Because Jesus offered Himself once for all, we no longer bring animals: we bring ourselves. Our worship is continual, daily surrender to Him.
