Altars

“The LORD appeared to Abram…So he built an altar there to the LORD…Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel…there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.” Genesis 12:7-8 NASB

The first altar recorded in the Bible was built by Noah after the flood (Genesis 8:20). But it was Abraham who established the importance of altars, building them on four separate occasions.

He built his first altar after the Lord promised to give his descendants vast lands. He built his second altar when he pitched his tent near Bethel, calling “upon the name of the Lord.”

Altars served several important functions. First, they were reminders. We see this after Abraham paused
at an altar to remember God’s promises and all that He had done (Genesis 13:3-4).

Second, they were places of offering, where he sacrificed animals that could have been used for food or profit. But these offerings demonstrated that he valued God more highly than anything else. They were symbols of his commitment to serve Him.

Third, they were places of dedication, where Abraham could reflect on his life. In Genesis 13, as he revisited an altar, he had the opportunity to confess his sins, repent of past mistakes, and rededicate his life to God. And they were places of prayer and worship where he sought God.

Today, altars remain an important part of our lives. Our churches have altars. But we have the opportunity to build altars everywhere we go. In our homes and cars. On our jobs. In our hearts.

These altars can be symbolic, but also real places where our thoughts can turn toward God, and remember all He has done for us. Places and times to rededicate our lives to Him, and offer sacrifices of our time, talent, and treasure. Moments to call on His name.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your promises and all that You have done for me. I believe that Your Word is true. I rededicate my life to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.