Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 20:24

24 An 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.

For thy present use, or whilest thou art in the wilderness: This he commanded partly that they might easily and readily erect an altar upon all occasions, which it might be hard for them to do there of better materials; partly to mind them how much more God regarded the inward holiness, than the outward pomp of their devotions; partly because God would make a conspicuous difference between them and idolaters who used much cost and curiosity about their Altars; partly that the Altars might, after they left them, fall down and moulder away, and not remain as lasting monuments, which might be afterward abused to Idolatry by any persons that came thither; partly because they were uncertain of their stay any where, except at Sinai, and therefore must raise such Altars as they could suddenly do. But this command onely concerned their wilderness-state: for there were better and more durable Altars, in the Tabernacle and Temple.

Therefore there is no need of building any stately Altar in a certain place, as if my presence were fixed there, and not to be enjoyed elsewhere.

Or, cause my name to be remembred by you: i. e. Not in every place which you shall invent, but in all such places as I shall appoint, for the remembrance or celebration of my name or for the service of my Majesty, whether it be in the wilderness, and in divers parts thereof, or in the Tabernacle and Temple.

Marginal references: Lev. 1. 2.