Fire on the Stone Altar

A rugged stone altar rises from the ground, stacked with rough-hewn rocks and crowned with wood consumed by a high, living flame. The composition recalls the worship of ancient Israel, where offerings were placed before the Lord as signs of consecration, repentance, and atonement. In the Law, the altar fire was not treated as ordinary flame; it was kept burning as a continual witness that sin required sacrifice and that fellowship with God came through His appointed way. The burning wood and uncut stones make this artwork especially fitting for themes of burnt offering, forgiveness, priestly worship, covenant devotion, and Old Testament teaching. by Jeff Preston