Why Build Altars?

Welcome back to our series on The Science of Altars.

In our previous lesson, we explored the fundamental question: What are altars?

Today, we’ll dive deeper into the significance of altars by examining the top five biblical reasons for their importance:

Page Contents

#1 – Life Is Spiritual

At the very core of our existence lies a profound truth—Life is spiritual.

This truth is woven throughout the fabric of the Bible, beginning from the very first chapters to the last ones of this Holy Book.

Genesis 2:4 states:

“These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.”

The term “generations” in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word Tolidar, which means “to give birth to,” “history,” or “genealogy.”
This suggests that the Earth was, in essence, given birth to by the heavens, signifying that the material world we see was brought into being by the immaterial, spiritual realm.
This concept is not unique to Genesis but is echoed throughout the scriptures.
For instance, in Romans 1:18-20, Paul explains that the invisible qualities of God—His eternal power and divine nature—are seen, being understood from what has been made.
Similarly, Psalm 19:1-4 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Also, this connection is further illustrated by the teaching style of Jesus, who often spoke in parables using natural settings to explain spiritual truths.
By doing so, Jesus further echoed the understanding that the physical and spiritual are not separate, but rather, they are intimately connected.

These scriptures reveal a recurring biblical theme:

The physical world is deeply intertwined with the spiritual realm.
This is vividly demonstrated in Genesis 28:10-17, where Jacob has a dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it.
Here, we see that the physical location where Jacob slept was more than just a spot on the ground—it was a gateway between heaven and earth.
This passage teaches us that altars serve as spiritual “umbilical cords,” establishing connections between the physical and spiritual realms.

Because life is spiritual, altars hold great significance because:

They are not just symbolic; they are powerful instruments that can shape reality.
When we build altars, we are creating spiritual gateways, enabling us to access the spiritual resources needed to impact our lives and the world around us.
Understanding this principle allows us to engage with the spiritual realm in a meaningful way by wielding the power of altars to bring about transformation and alignment with God’s purposes.

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#2 – Our Forefathers Were Men of Altars

Abraham, the father of faith, lived a life that demonstrated the importance of maintaining a connection with God through altars.

The Bible tells us that Abraham pitched tents and built altars wherever he went [Genesis 12:7-8].
Pitching a tent signifies a temporary dwelling, reflecting the transient nature of our earthly lives.
Building an altar, on the other hand, symbolizes something enduring—our ongoing relationship with God.

Today, many of us have reversed this order:

We build permanent houses but pitch altars.
We’ve become so focused on our earthly existence that we often neglect the spiritual foundation that should be at the core of our lives.
Abraham’s life reminds us that we are mere sojourners on this earth; our true home is in heaven. [Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 11:13-16]
Just as Abraham built altars as a sign of his devotion and commitment to God, we too should make the worship of God a permanent, central part of our lives.

Noah is another powerful example:

After the flood, with only a few clean animals left, Noah didn’t hesitate to risk what little he had to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to God [Genesis 8:20-21].
In doing so, Noah demonstrated that honoring God was more important than preserving his security.
This act of faith shows us that true worship involves sacrifice and trust in God’s provision.
Today, many of us live our lives without involving the presence of the divine, which is a dangerous path.
We must return to the example of our forefathers, who prioritized God above all else.
The lives of our forefathers show us that altars are not optional in our spiritual journey. They are essential for maintaining a vibrant and enduring relationship with God.

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#3 – They Are Offensive Weapons

Ephesians 6:10-18 & Revelation 12:9-12 reveal a troubling reality: humanity is entangled in a spiritual war that started in the heavens.

Altars play a crucial role in this conflict, for they are powerful offensive weapons in reclaiming territories for God’s kingdom.

Israel, God’s chosen people, serves as a compelling case study for understanding this principle:

Whenever Israel entered a new territory, their first command was always to pull down the existing altars of darkness and raise altars to God.
For example, in Deuteronomy 12:1-5, God gave specific instructions to the Israelites on how to demolish the altars of false gods when entered the Promised Land.
This was not a mere ritual; it was a strategic act of spiritual warfare.
Failure to do so would result in those altars becoming “thorns and snares,” as illustrated in Judges 2:1-3.

Another striking example is found in the story of Gideon in Judges 6:25-32.

God commanded Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and build an altar to the Lord in its place.
This was more than an act of obedience; it was a decisive blow against the forces of darkness.
By replacing the evil altar with a holy one, Gideon reclaimed spiritual territory for God, setting the stage for Israel’s victory over their oppressors.

Alternatively, we find a powerful illustration in the story of Dagon recorded in 1 Samuel 5:2-4:

This Philistine god was disarmed and ultimately destroyed when the Ark of the Covenant, representing the presence of God, was brought into his temple.
Dagon was found fallen before the Ark on the first day, with its head and hands broken off the next day.
This gradual disarming and destruction of Dagon symbolizes the inevitable defeat of evil when confronted by the power of God’s presence.
Just as Dagon was gradually dismantled, first losing pieces and eventually being completely destroyed, so too will the influence of evil altars be overcome as we persist in establishing and maintaining altars dedicated to God.
The more we tarry on these godly altars, the more we weaken and dismantle the powers of darkness, leading to their ultimate defeat.
Altars are thus essential tools in our spiritual arsenal, enabling us to stand against the enemy and advance God’s kingdom on earth.

#4 – They Are Gateways to Divine Encounters

Throughout the Bible, no man ever had an encounter with God and remained the same as seen in the examples of:

Jacob’s encounter with God at the altar in Bethel marked a turning point in Jacob’s life, transforming him from a deceiver into a man who would later be renamed Israel, the father of the twelve tribes [Genesis 28:10-22].
Moses encountered the countenance of the glory of God at the altar he built at the foot of the mountain. The glory of this encounter was so profound that Moses’ face shone with the radiance of God’s presence when he descended from the mountain [Exodus 24:4-8].
When Elijah built an altar on Mount Carmel, it became the stage for God to demonstrate His power by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice [1 Kings 18:36-39].
Similarly, when Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, God intervened and provided a ram, revealing Himself as Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides [Genesis 22:13-14].

These encounters at the altar prove that our tarrying at the altar often results in divine provision and a deeper understanding of God’s character and His plans.

Most of us have wasted time, seasons, and opportunities.
The good news is that there is a second chance for in the spiritual realm, destiny is not dependent on time, but on an encounter.
It does not take God eternity to do that which is eternal.
That means, one encounter with the divine can make up for all the time you have wasted.
For instance, think about the example of Sarah, Hannah, or Elizabeth. Barrenness has eaten all the most precious years of these women, but when God showed up, He did more than simply answer their prayers—He transformed their destinies.
Therefore, in our spiritual journey, establishing altars opens the door to profound encounters with God, where we experience His presence, receive guidance, and witness His miraculous power at work in our lives.

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#5 – They are Systems of Replenishment

Man was given the assignment of replenishing the Earth [Genesis 1:28].

To replenish means to “fill up,” “build-up,” “restore,” “make full,” or “complete again” to the original state of lacking nothing or not being used up.

Altars serve as places where covenants are renewed and strengthened, restoring things to their original order and form as seen in the examples of:

Noah’s altar after the flood restored the earth to a state of blessing and fruitfulness for it caused God to establish a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. (Genesis 8:20-22).
After many years of living away from his place of allocation in poverty and oppression of Laban, Jacob returned to Bethel and renewed his covenant with God. This act not only restored Jacob’s relationship with God but also brought blessings and protection for his family and Israel at large (Genesis 35:1-7).
After repairing the altar of the Lord that had been broken down by Baal worship, it allowed God to record His name as the sovereign El Shaddai. This restored the faith of the Israelites in the true God, replenishing their spiritual commitment and turning their hearts back to Him [1 Kings 18:36-39].
One time when there was famine in the land Abraham left the place of the altar and went down to Egypt. After realizing his mistake, the first place Abraham returned to was the altar he had previously built at Bethel. This act of renewing and reaffirming his commitment to God set the stage for God’s continued blessings on his journey [Genesis 22:13-14].
Jesus, during His earthly ministry, frequently retreated to places of prayer and solitude. These were not just personal retreats but spiritual altars where Jesus renewed His divine mission and strength. For instance, the altar of fervent prayer that He raised at the Garden of Gethsemane, kept Him from misinterpreting His mission or abandoning it under the weight of His suffering [Matthew 26:36-46]. This illustrates how personal altars of prayer and spiritual focus enable believers to discern and adhere to God’s will, strengthening their resolve in the face of trials and uncertainties

Therefore, altars are tools for spiritual replenishment for they are places and platforms for:

Rekindling our faith: Altars reignite our trust in God’s promises, reminding us of His past faithfulness and empowering us to face new challenges with confidence.
Healing and restoration: They are where we find God’s grace and mercy, allowing Him to mend our brokenness and renew our strength.
Spiritual growth: Altars provide opportunities for a deeper connection with God, fostering continual spiritual maturity and transformation.
Restoring spiritual alignment: They help us refocus on God’s will, bringing our lives back into harmony with His divine purpose.
Renewing our commitment: Altars reaffirm our dedication to God, strengthening our resolve to live according to His commands.

In conclusion…

Altars shape our spiritual journeys, destines, and purposes.

Godly altars provide the spiritual nourishment we need to thrive in a world that constantly seeks to drain our vitality.

For that reason, the challenge before us isn’t about constructing physical structures; it’s about creating sacred spaces in our hearts and minds where we continually experience God’s divine life.

By doing so, the altars we build will become beacons of light, influencing not only our lives but also the world around us, bringing the transformation that only God’s presence can accomplish.

Now is the time to arise, and position ourselves as channels through which God’s power and grace can flow.

The spiritual battle is real, and the altars we establish today will determine the victories of tomorrow.

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