For most Israelites, the bronze altar was as far as they ever went. They didn't pass through to the ark or the lampstand or the veil. They came to the courtyard, brought a sacrifice, and met God at the altar. The structure was the sermon: there is no path to a holy God that goes around the place where the cost is paid. But the altar was also the place where you ran when you needed mercy. Both things at once. The companion written study for this episode is available free at https://bibleforthebroken.org/p/day-110altar-and-courtyard. You can explore the full library of studies and resources at BiblefortheBroken.org.