Neville Goddard on Exodus 20:24-26 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Exodus 20 in context

Scripture Focus

24An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

25And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Exodus 20:24-26

Biblical Context

Exodus 20:24–26 commands a simple altar of earth or unhewn stone and warns against ascending by steps, with a promise that God will come and bless wherever His name is recorded. The emphasis is on humble, pure worship rather than ornate ritual.

Neville's Inner Vision

Picture the altar not as a hill temple but as the plain ground of your consciousness. The earth altar invites humility—no tool in your hand to sculpt God’s image; the 'hewn stone' stands for mental cleverness and status you would lift up in place of simple faith. Do not ascend by steps, for there is no higher rank to attain in the I AM; stay at ground level where God records your name, and know that when you align with that I AM reality, He will come and bless. Your day’s thoughts, feelings, and choices are offerings in this inner sanctuary; the aim is sincerity and fidelity, not ceremony. By dwelling in the awareness that I AM is present, you replace longing for applause with inner certainty. The temple grows as you revise your self-concept to honor the I AM, and the blessing is the felt presence and harmony that follows the inner decision.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and place an imagined altar of earth in your chest. State 'I AM' and offer a small, sincere act today as a burnt offering—then rest in the feeling of God’s presence without needing to perform for others.