When we read the regulations of the law given to the people of Israel, it can seem a bit distant and removed from us; besides, theologically speaking, we are not “under the law” at all. From this we could easily conclude that we should ignore these Old Testament texts altogether—they are not about us. But if not everything is about us, it is certainly for us. The apostle Paul has made this point abundantly clear in several passages (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16); the law was “a shadow of the good things to come” (Heb. 10:1).

Moses received certain regulations for the people of Israel following the giving of the Ten Commandments. Two points stand out here in connection with the altar. Firstly, when an altar of stone was raised, there was to be no tool used in its construction. Stones from their natural location and in their natural state were to be used without any alteration from tools by the hand of man. This speaks of the fact that there is to be no innovation of man when it comes to worship. We have abundant scriptural revelation on how the New Testament assembly meets and worships. We do not have to invent something more pleasing to man or the flesh.

Secondly, there were to be no steps to the altar—a warning against immorality connected with the altar. Also, there should be no exaltation of man. How the Church has failed in this! The principle of “clericalism,” where man becomes the center, began very early in Church history. Man should not be seen, but the Lord alone. We need to stay close to the Word in these matters—the Lord is wiser than we are.