November 9
Lesson 10
THE ALTAR OFFERS HOPE
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalms 130, 131BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 43:10–46:24
EZEKIEL 43:13–21
13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
15 So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
16 And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
17 And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.
20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
Photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
When these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.
—Ezekiel 43:27
SUSTAINING HOPE
Unit 3: Visions of Grandeur
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Tell how the altar in Ezekiel’s temple vision was to be prepared and purified for use in worship.
2. Explain why the altar—and a sanctified altar—was so important for the people to be acceptable to God.
3. Give thanks for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, which makes us acceptable to God.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. What’s Behind the Door?
B. Lesson Background
I. Features of the Altar (EZEKIEL 43:13–17)
A. Height and Horns (vv. 13–15)
B. Area and Stairs (vv. 16, 17)
Precision Matters!
II. Dedication of the Altar (EZEKIEL 43:18–21)
A. Animal Chosen (vv. 18, 19)
God Offers Hope
B. Blood Sprinkled (v. 20)
C. Carcass Burned (v. 21)
Conclusion
A. Their Hope
B. Our Hope
C. Prayer
D. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Babylon
Bab-uh-lun.
Ezekiel
Ee-zeek-ee-ul or Ee-zeek-yul.
Judah
Joo-duh.
Levites
Lee-vites.
Sinai
Sigh-nye or Sigh-nay-eye.
Zadok
Zay-dok.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for not leaving us to perish in our sin and despair. You have provided in the sacrifice of Your Son the way by which sin can be atoned for permanently. May we never forget that the perfect, once-for-all, fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus at the cross is what allows eternal life in Your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray; amen.
Thought to Remember
The cross of Christ is the altar and anchor of our hope.
Redford, Douglas et al. “The Altar Offers Hope.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson & Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 87. Print.
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