Exodus 27:1-8

 (1) Overview

  (NET) Here worshipers would make their sacrifices to God in order to find forgiveness and atonement, and in order to celebrate in worship with him. No one could worship God apart from this; no one could approach God apart from this. So too the truths that this altar communicated form the basis and center of all Christian worship...Believers must ensure that the foundation and center of their worship is the altar, i.e., the sacrificial atonement.  

 See the "Movable bronze-covered wood" altar in the lower left of the picture below.

(2) features of the altar

27:2 You are to make its four horns on its four corners; its horns will be part of it, and you are to overlay it with bronze.

(NET)... The horns may also represent the sacrificial animals killed on the altar.

27:3 You are to make its pots for the ashes, its shovels, its tossing bowls, its meat hooks, and its fire pans—you are to make all its utensils of bronze.

The function of the altar was to burn the animal offerings.

See the picture for the grating v.4-5. They probably function as the grate on a barbecue grill. God's instruction is very practical and can be followed. 

Finally, 2 poles were used to carry it. It is a portable altar that Israel could use to burn animal sacrifices to the LORD while they travelled in the wilderness.

(3) Reflection

Israelites got used to animal sacrifice. Now, it became a routine to do so. Before they entered the tent/tabernacle they first saw the bronze altar. Their worship started with sin offering. 

God's design was a huge improvement compared to what they used (see picture above). God's instruction makes sense and they are practical. Plus, it is more portable. It reminded them that no matter where they went they would continue with this kind of worship.

How about us? Do we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins every day? Do we offer ourselves to God no matter where we go?

Audrey