God asks Moses to build him a tent - the "tabernacle", so he can be present with his people. Now God gives instructions on the construction of the altar.
Like many ancient religion, the altar - literally "the burning place" is where offerings are made through fire to the deity.
The Hebrews have different kinds of offering which God asks them to bring to him. Some of animals and some are grains and breads. Some are burned whole, while some are divided so a part is burned and the rest eaten by the people and the priests. Some are expressions of thanksgiving, while others are to make up for sinful actions.
An offering is something of ours which we give to God. We could have made use of the offering, but we give it to God instead as a gift, which sometimes he gives back to the people as a blessing.
Since Jesus says he has made up for human sinfulness once and for all by his death on the cross, there is no need for burning places in our modern worship places. Instead, Paul talks about placing ourselves on the altars of the places where we live our weekday lives.
Do you work on a bench, or a kitchen counter, or a desk or an operating table? This is the altar on which you can put to use your gifts and talents to bless the people you serve. You can use your abilities to further your own name, of course. Or you can place them on the altar and use them to do God's purposes. It looks the same to people watching. But to you and God, it is priestly worship.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you experienced the sacficial worship of others in everyday life?
In your life presently, what is the "altar" of you vocation?
Who are the people God brings to your altar so you can serve them?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the altar of your vocation in everyday life. Thank God for the gifts and talents he has given you with which you can serve the world.
Pray about the quality of your serve. What are the temptation of fame and fortune associated with your vocation. Ask God for the wisdom and faith to discern the opportunities to serve.
Pray for the people God brings to you so you can serve them. Ask God for the wisdom and opportunity to serve them well.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he receives the offering of your gifts, and the way he guides you in using them to bless the people in your world.