The Bronze Altar and the Bronze Basin
(Exodus 27:1-21; 30:17-21; 38:1-20)
Last week, we explored the beautiful golden room called the Holy Place, where the lampstand and the table sat. Today, we are stepping back outside into the large courtyard to see two very important tools made of bronze.
Before a priest could ever go inside to that holy golden room, he had to stop at these two stations. The first was the Bronze Altar. This was a large, hollow square made of wood and covered in heavy bronze. It had a horn on each of its four corners. This was the place where sacrifices were made. It reminded everyone that because God is holy and people are not, a price had to be paid for sin so they could be close to Him.
Past the altar, closer to the tent, sat the Bronze Basin, which was a large bowl filled with clean water. God told the priests they must wash their hands and feet here every single time they prepared to serve Him. While the altar was about being forgiven, the basin was about being cleansed and refreshed. Interestingly, the bronze for this bowl came from the mirrors of the women who served at the Tabernacle entrance! Just as a mirror shows us if our face is dirty, God’s Word shows us where we need His help to change.
These two objects worked together to prepare the way for the people to meet God. The sacrificial system showed that God takes sin seriously, but the washing at the basin showed that He also wants us to walk with Him in purity. Following these divine patterns perfectly was the only way to enter the rooms we saw last week. Even today, we can see how God uses physical things to teach us about the spiritual transformation He wants to do in our hearts, making us clean and new from the inside out.
A Curious Question
If the Bronze Altar was for forgiveness and the Bronze Basin was for washing, why do you think God put them outside in the courtyard where everyone could see them, instead of hiding them inside the tent?
Jesus Connection
The Bronze Altar and the Basin point us to the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. The Altar represents the Cross, where Jesus gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for our salvation so we wouldn't have to bring animals anymore. The Basin represents how Jesus washes us clean from the "dirt" of our daily mistakes. He is the one who fulfills all of God's promises by making us right with the Father and giving us a fresh start every single day through His grace.
Discussion Questions
- How does it feel to know that God provided a way for people to be forgiven at the Altar before they even entered His house?
- The Basin was made from mirrors. How is reading the Bible like looking into a mirror for our hearts?
- Why was it important for the priests to wash their hands and feet every single day? How is that like our daily prayers?
- If you were standing in the courtyard, would the big Bronze Altar make you feel safe or serious? Why?
“So What” What Can I do?
- Is there something you need to tell God you are sorry for today, knowing that Jesus is our "Altar" who forgives us?
- How can you practice "spiritual washing" this week by asking God to help you have kind words and clean thoughts?
- What is one way you can help someone else feel "refreshed" this week, just like the cool water in the basin?
Memorize God's Word
"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7)
Hand Motions:
- Wash me: Rub your hands together as if washing them with soap.
- And I shall be: Point to yourself with both thumbs.
- Whiter than snow: Use your hands to show a wide, flat "blanket" of snow in front of you.
- Psalm 51:7: Hold hands open like a book.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for the Bronze Altar that reminds us Jesus paid for our sins. Thank You for the Basin that reminds us You can make us clean and new. Please wash our hearts today and help us to live in a way that makes You happy. Amen.
Craft: The "Clean Heart" Basin
Kids will create a "mirror" craft to remember how God's Word shows us our need for Him and how He washes us clean.
Materials Checklist
Instructions
- Cut a large circle out of the grey cardstock to be the "Bronze Basin."
- Cut a slightly smaller circle of aluminum foil and glue it into the center of the cardstock to act as the "mirror" surface.
- Tear small pieces of blue construction paper and glue them around the foil to represent the water in the basin.
- Place a heart sticker in the center of the foil.
- Write "God makes me clean" around the edge of the bronze basin.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Tie-in Strategy: Briefly remind the kids that the Ark of the Covenant was the "destination," but the Altar and Basin were the "entrance." You can't get to the gold without passing the bronze!
- Object Lesson: Use a real mirror. Ask the kids what happens if they have mud on their face but never look in a mirror. Relate this to how the Bible shows us our heart-needs.
- Transitioning: Use the "Wash me" hand motions throughout the lesson to keep high-energy students engaged.