Exodus 27 · Grade 5
Approaching a Holy God
Read and Think
Exodus 27 moves from the inside of the tabernacle to the courtyard. The bronze altar of burnt offering was the largest piece of furniture, about seven and a half feet square. Its four horns were a place where blood was applied and where a person could seek refuge (1 Kings 1:50). Every worshiper had to pass the altar before going further. The message was clear: approach to God requires atonement for sin.
The courtyard was enclosed by white linen hangings about seven and a half feet high, with one gate on the east side made of blue, purple and scarlet. The white linen marked a boundary of holiness. The single entrance taught that God sets the terms of approach. Christians have read this as a picture of Jesus, who says in the New Testament that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
The chapter ends with the oil for the lamp. The people supplied pure beaten olive oil, and the priests kept the lamp burning from evening to morning before Yahweh (27:21). This continual light was a sign of God's ongoing presence and of Israel's ongoing service. In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:10-12 speaks of Christ's sacrifice, and Jesus calls His followers to let their light shine before others (Matthew 5:16).
Show What You Know
Why did every worshiper pass the altar first?
What were the horns of the altar used for?
What did the single gate teach?
Who supplied the oil and who tended the lamp?
What does Hebrews 13:10-12 say about Christ?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- The bronze of burnt offering was the largest piece of furniture, about seven and a half feet square.
- The message was clear: approach to requires atonement for sin.
- The courtyard was enclosed by white linen hangings about seven and a half feet high, with one on the east side made of blue, purple and scarlet.
- The chapter ends with the for the lamp.
- The people supplied pure beaten olive oil, and the priests kept the burning from evening to morning before Yahweh (27:21).
Think About It
Why do you think God placed the altar right inside the entrance?
How do the people's oil and the priests' work show that worship involves everyone?
Memory Verse
“In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.”
Exodus 27:21 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you come to God through Jesus?
- How can you let others see God's love in you?
- How can your life be a light to others?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.