The Altar and God's Presence

The Old Testament is full of symbols, types, and shadows, all veiled in a thick shroud of mystery until the true form of these things comes into the world. The ceremonial law, while "done away with" when Christ comes, is not to be completely discarded by us in the post-resurrection era. The principles that the priests operated under should still affect the church today. One particular example is how the altar of burnt offering relates to the Lord's presence. In Exodus 29, Moses mentions briefly the consecration of the altar and the offering - "You shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall become most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy. Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly...where I will meet with you and speak to you there" (Exodus 29:36b-38, 42b).

A couple points to consider - 

First, we must notice that only by an act of God can what is common be declared holy unto the Lord. What was previously just simple construction material is now considered to be most holy, and then afterwards, whatever touches the altar is also considered holy.

Second, the altar is the location where the burning of the offering takes place. God's symbolic presence is manifested in the altar, for it is upon the altar where the direct consumption of the sacrifice by Yahweh occurs. The altar is declared most holy because it is symbolic of the indwelling presence of the Most Holy God (see Exodus 29:43, "There I will meet with my people Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory."). The altar is not meant to be some derivative holiness, but the holiness that represents the presence of a righteous God. The reverent attitude and posture of the priest when offering up the sacrifice is evident of this - when approaching the altar, the priest comes forward as one coming into the presence of God.

As stated before, we understand that the ceremonial law is done away with when Christ comes in the flesh and offers up himself, entering the holy place not made by hands, and purchasing our eternal redemption. But our posture nevertheless remains the same. Our confidence in approaching the throne of grace is still mingled with the fear and reverence of the OT priest.

SDG

The Nature of God's Indwelling Presence

Just a quick thought that might help in reading the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God blesses his people Israel by dwelling among them - in the pillar of cloud and fire in the wilderness, in the tabernacle and temple, and in the ark of the covenant when Israel went to war with the surrounding nations. God's presence went with the people. This is the normative nature in which God interacted with his people. It was only on special exceptions in which God would actually indwell a person, and even then, only for a temporary period for a specific purpose. Think of Balaam and Saul (David's predecessor).

This changes with the coming of Christ in the NT. God becomes flesh and pitches his tent among men (literally, "tabernacled" - John 1:14). He comes to fulfill the Scripture, to slay death and sin, and to ransom a people. But he also brings his Spirit with him as a guarantee of the inheritance they will receive. Now, Jesus says that his Spirit "dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:27). Paul would later expand on the longevity of his abiding in us in his letter to the Ephesians. He says that when we believe upon the Lord Jesus, we are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it" (Ephesians 1:13-14). There is now nothing temporal about God's indwelling presence within those who believe upon the Lord Jesus.

No longer does the Spirit abide in a constructed temple external to his people, where even the high priest could enter but once a year - now he dwells within the temple of human hearts, within the innermost being of his saints. He who was external and unapproachable has now become internal, personal, and the source of all joy and comfort.

SDG