1 Kings 19:4 English Standard Version (ESV) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Read 1 Kings 18 to understand all that Elijah had done in obedience to the Lord. It is that great demonstration of God revealing Himself to be the One True God. Here in this chapter Elijah has heard Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah because he had killed all the prophets of Baal. Elijah has run away and hid himself. Now Elijah confesses to God that he is no better than those who came before him.

We all come to a point of seeing ourselves as human. As much as we might have heard and done to obey God, to glorify God, and try our hardest to be all that God has made us to become, we are still human. When our lives are threatened by circumstances beyond our control, whether it be by natural causes or manmade threats, we want to live.

If this great prophet Elijah felt like running away, why should I assume that I am any better? A man I am.

My God is wonderful beyond belief. His mercies are new every morning even if I do not remember. I am human. My God is my shield and protector even if I fear the moment. I am human. I am a changed man because of my God even if others do not see it. I am human.

All Israel saw God at Mount Carmel and that Elijah was His prophet. None of those men and women saw Elijah run and hide in fear. Perhaps they should have. All the fame and notoriety associated with being God’s prophet would have died. The glory would be to God. Elijah was human.

To God be the glory.

Exodus 20:25 English Standard Version (ESV) If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.

We are always trying to make things fit. We are always trying to make sure that what we build will last. Here in Exodus 20:25 we find once again that all important word if. In the original Hebrew the word if does not appear. There instructions were in reference to the sacrificial alter upon which their offerings were to be made.

Exodus 20:24 English Standard Version (ESV) An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.

They were to make an altar of earth. The construction material was not specified. If is only indicative of the possibility for the choice of using stone. The materials used in construction could have been any material. The issue of the structure was not meant to overshadow the sacrifice. Raw material was to be used and it was not meant to be ornamental.

Now here is the real issue and it escapes many of us in looking to construct a place of sacrifice, it is that last sentence. “In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.” Cathedrals don’t have the capacity to remember.

Romans 12:1 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1 Corinthians 6:19 English Standard Version (ESV) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

We are that altar of sacrifice.