The word for Altar in the Hebrew is the word, “Mizbeach.” It means the place of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal. The sacrificial system was at the focal point of the Israelite system of worship since the sacrifice and subsequent meal were used to solemnize a covenant or treaty to symbolize a position relationship between two parties. Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices on exiting the ark. The patriarchs built altars and sacrificed at various points along their journeys such as Abram, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. At Mount Sinai, God commanded that the Israelites build a tabernacle that included two altars; a bronze altar in the courtyard for sacrificing animals and a golden altar inside the tabernacle for burning incense. Solomon and Ezekiel followed a similar pattern. God also required that the altar for burnt offerings be made of earth or uncut stones so that human hands would not defile it. God also required that the altar would have no steps so that human nakedness would not be exposed on it. Notice that the blood required was not human blood but animal blood. In some religions including Islam human sacrifice is required. God never required us to commit another sin to try to cover our first sin. The blood of animals never did pay the penalty of death for our sin but pointed us to the God-Man Jesus Christ as the one and only sacrifice for our sin. Only the blood of God Himself which was sinless blood would suffice for our guilt. Choose Christ and the gift of salvation that He alone has provided for us! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: 35
Thanksgiving
Many Jewish commentators believe the secret of Judah’s blessings are implicit in the Hebrew meaning of his name. When Lea, his mother gave birth to him she said, “This time I will give thanksgiving unto the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah! See Genesis 29:35 Judah is taken from the Hebrew word Hodah which means giving thanks. The Jews gave the world two important things; An awareness of God and the concept of gratitude! Aldous Huxley wrote, ” Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Jewish life fights against this. The Talmud says, “if someone lacks this trait of thankfulness this person is not in fact a Jew!” The hardest math for most Christians is for us to count our Blessings! It is interesting that in Israel today the only two tribes left out of ten is Judah and Benjamin! The priest tribe of Levites is still there also. The other 10 tribes were lost through persecutions and the exiles from Israel. Why? Why did Judah survive to this day?Could have it been their attitude that bore their name? Judah. Thankyou. Source; Rabbi Benjamin Blech