“And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.”  (Exodus 27:4).

The Tabernacle and all of it’s furnishings was a piece of engineering genius.  The “grate of network of brass” is a prime example.  The LORD had the Israelites build a brass grating to surround the entire altar.  This ledge was then placed at the midpoint of the altar’s height.  We know the grating had to be on the outside of the altar because rings of brass were placed at the four corners of the grating where poles would be inserted to carry the altar as it was moved. 

This grating served as a ledge for the priest to stand on.  He had to step up on it to perform the daily sacrifice.  The instruction for it to be a work of grating must have been so the heat from the altar would dissipate quickly as air passed through the opening in the grating.   This allowed the priest to endure the heat of judgement being offered on the Altar without burning his feet.  Again, an engineering genius!  But who would expect less from the LORD who was the Master Architect?

The priest stepping up to the altar is a picture of Christ going up to the cross.  On the cross the Lamb of God endured the “fires of judgement” as He took on the sin of the world.  The hope of humanity is the cross.  The cross is where man must be drawn.  Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”  (John 12:32).

Today is February 28.  May we point men to the cross!

Blessings,

Jim