The first thing to meet the eye of one entering the courtyard gate of the tabernacle was the huge brass or copper altar. Notice first of all that it was prescribed by God. In Exodus 27 is the record of the brazen altar, as it is commonly known. God said, "Thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood" (v. 1). The word "altar" comes from a Hebrew word meaning to slay or slaughter. On the brazen altar all the animals were slain and sacrificed for our sins. Every time we read about the Israelites offering an animal sacrifice in the Old Testament we can remember that in some way it pictured the cross of Calvary.
There was a specific reason for His becoming a man. God gave a remedy: Moses must put a brazen serpent upon a pole; if they looked on the serpent, they would live. Sure enough, everyone who looked did live, John 3:14-15 clearly says that this serpent was a type of the Lord Jesus, for God says, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." How was all this to be? God illustrated by the picture of the brass serpent in the wilderness that Another would be judged for Israel's sin. When they looked at this brass serpent, they realized this substitution, and God forgave them on the basis that another paid the penalty for their sins. The Lord Jesus Christ was lifted up for us on the cross as a sinless man, but He was covered over "with brass," or judged, for our sins. When we look at Calvary and the cross through faith in His Word, we understand that Another was judged for our sins and we are forgiven and receive eternal life.
You MUST make a copy of Helen Roseveare's message. It is the greatest single message I ever heard. It will motivate you beyond comprehension.
Please pray for Celeste and me for we need physical healing and God is so able. We love you and pray for you daily. ABC Sumner
