Do not build the altar with stones hewn by metal

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

This commandment teaches us that we should consider every aspect of our service to G-d to be sacred. We should not treat any part of our service to Him in a casual manner. Messiah surrendered every minute of His life to yield to G-d and obey His commandments.

Messiah surrendered every minute of His life to yield to G-d and obey His commandments.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 6:38)

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not builting an altar with stones hewn by metal.

 

Traditional Observance

For the past 2000 years this commandment has been observed not only by not building an altar with stones hewn by metal but by not building an altar at all.

 

Other Notes

Although He was not sacrificed on a literal altar, Messiah was laid in a tomb that was hewn out of stone. (Mark 27:59-60)

This commandment is dependent upon a Temple/Tabernacle being in place. We are unable to literally fulfill this commandment today.

 

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Footnotes

1. Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved. [back]