The altars of sacrifice in biblical symbolism
The altars of sacrifice in biblical symbolism. The stone or rock in biblical symbolism is often associated with altars of sacrifice. This connection between stones, altars, and sacrifice is deeply rooted in the religious practices and narratives found throughout the Bible. Here’s how these concepts are intertwined:
1. Stones as Altars of Sacrifice in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, stones frequently served as the foundation for altars where sacrifices were made to God. These altars were central to the worship practices of the Israelites and carried significant spiritual meaning.
A. Examples of Stone Altars
- Abraham’s Altar: In Genesis 22, when God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham builds an altar on Mount Moriah, likely using stones, as was customary. This altar becomes the place where God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, symbolizing God’s provision and mercy.
- Jacob’s Stone Pillar: After his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven, Jacob sets up the stone he used as a pillow and anoints it with oil, making it a pillar and naming the place Bethel (Genesis 28:18). Although not a traditional altar for sacrifice, this stone symbolizes a place of divine encounter and worship.
- Moses’ Altar at Mount Sinai: After receiving the Law, Moses builds an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai using twelve pillars of stone, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This altar is used for sacrifices, and the blood of the offerings is sprinkled on the people as a sign of the covenant (Exodus 24:4-8).
- Joshua’s Altar at Mount Ebal: Following the Israelites’ entrance into the Promised Land, Joshua builds an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal as commanded by Moses. The people offer burnt offerings and peace offerings on it, and the Law of Moses is inscribed on the stones (Joshua 8:30-32).
B. The Significance of Stone Altars
- Permanence and Stability: Stones, being durable and unchanging, symbolize the permanence and stability of the covenant between God and His people. Altars made of stone were meant to be lasting memorials to significant events and divine encounters.
- Connection to the Earth: Stone altars emphasize the connection between the sacrificial act and the earth itself, grounding the spiritual act in the physical world. The use of uncut stones, as prescribed in Exodus 20:25, reflects the idea that what is natural and unaltered by human hands is fitting for offering to God.
- Place of Divine Encounter: Stone altars often marked locations where people encountered God, received His promises, or renewed their commitment to Him. These places became sacred spaces, set apart for worship and sacrifice.
2. The Symbolism of Stones in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the symbolism of stones and altars continues, but it takes on new dimensions, particularly in the context of Jesus’ life and mission.
A. Christ as the Cornerstone
- Jesus as the Foundation: Jesus is referred to as the “chief cornerstone” in several passages (e.g., Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6-7). This cornerstone is the foundation upon which the Church is built, symbolizing Christ’s role as the essential element in God’s plan of salvation.
- Rejected Stone: The idea of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone is also a powerful image (Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42). It reflects how Jesus, though rejected by the religious leaders and people, becomes the foundation of a new covenant.
B. The Cross as the Ultimate Altar
- The Cross and Sacrifice: The crucifixion of Jesus is often seen as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament sacrifices made on stone altars. The cross, though made of wood, functions symbolically as the final altar of sacrifice, where Jesus offers Himself for the sins of the world.
- The Rock of Golgotha: The place of Jesus’ crucifixion, Golgotha, is also known as “the place of the skull” and is sometimes associated with a rocky hill. This imagery connects back to the idea of stones and altars, with Jesus’ sacrifice occurring on a “rocky” place, further linking the physical location with the spiritual act of sacrifice.
3. The Stone of Judgment and Sacrifice in the Temptation of Christ
Returning to the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, the stones that Satan challenges Jesus to turn into bread can also be understood in the broader context of stones as symbols of sacrifice and judgment:
- Potential for Sacrifice: Stones, as potential altars, could symbolize the temptation to misuse divine power for self-serving purposes. If Jesus had turned the stones into bread, He might have been seen as using His power to avoid the sacrificial path laid out for Him—a path that ultimately leads to the cross, the true altar of sacrifice.
- Judgment and Mercy: Jesus’ refusal to turn the stones into bread also reflects His commitment to God’s plan, which involves judgment tempered with mercy. The stones, symbolic of judgment and sacrifice, are left unchanged, indicating that Jesus will not shortcut His mission by avoiding the sacrificial aspects of His ministry.
4. The Transformation of the Stone
In both the Old and New Testaments, stones are transformed from objects of judgment or potential idols into symbols of divine encounter and mercy:
- The Rejected Stone: Just as Jesus was the rejected stone that became the cornerstone, so too can the stones of judgment, when approached with mercy, become symbols of grace and redemption.
- The Living Stones: Believers are also referred to as “living stones” in 1 Peter 2:5, being built into a spiritual house. This imagery links the individual believer to the collective body of Christ, with each person contributing to the spiritual temple where sacrifices of praise and good works are offered.
Conclusion: The Stone as Altar, Judgment, and Mercy
The stone, in biblical symbolism, is a multifaceted object representing judgment, sacrifice, and divine encounter. From the stones used in Old Testament altars to the rock of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified, these objects ground spiritual truths in the physical world.
In the temptation of Christ, the stones Satan pointed to could have become tools of self-serving power, but Jesus refused, choosing instead the path that would lead to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Thus, the stone remains a powerful symbol—of judgment when misused, but also of mercy and sacrifice when viewed through the lens of Christ’s redemptive work.
The stone, whether as an altar of sacrifice or a potential tool of temptation, ultimately points us back to the central message of the Gospel: that Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation upon which all true spiritual life is built, and that through Him, what was once a symbol of judgment is transformed into a symbol of grace and redemption.
