Exodus 30:1 – 10 “You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense. It is to be square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns must be of one piece. Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it. And make two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it. Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you. And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come. On this altar you must not offer unauthorized incense or a burnt offering or grain offering; nor are you to pour a drink offering on it. Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”
God is giving orders concerning the construction of the altar of incense. This altar is to be positioned in the Holy Place before the curtains that separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The altar is to be carved from one block of acacia wood and there are to be horns on each corner of the altar, also as part of the altar. (If there are no joints in the wood, the altar will be far stronger and last longer.) The entire altar is to be overlaid with gold and there are to be golden rings and carrying poles also overlaid with gold so that the altar will be portable. Finally, this altar is a special one, designated solely for the purpose of burning specially compounded incense and nothing else. But this description raises several questions:
1. Why does God order horns to be cared on the corners of the altar? One answer comes from the religions that were already being practiced. In those religions, horns were a symbol of strength, superhuman power and deity. Horns also represented salvation and immortality as well, as the horn was extremely durable. In many cultures, horns were a symbol of protection and asylum. The Egyptians also used horns as a symbol of the beginning.
God was using symbols with which the Israelites were already familiar to convey messages on several levels. God wanted the Israelites to remember that He was all – powerful and that He was the One True Living God. It was God alone had delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God was – and is – immortal and enduring. Finally, God wanted His people to realize that He was their Source of protection and the One to whom they should turn for asylum. He was there at the creation of the world and He would remain forever.
2. What’s the purpose of burning incense? Dennis Prager gives us a wonderful explanation:
“The ritual service of God in the Tabernacle involved all five senses. The priests smelled the incense; they tasted the sacrificial offerings; they felt the sacrificial blood on their hands; they saw the light of the menorah; and they heard the bells on their clothing.
According to Maimonides, the purpose of the incense was to block out the unpleasant odors that came from the sacrifices. (HMMM! Certainly a possibility!)
Nahum Sarna explains the incense represented God’s invisible, active presence, much like the cloud accompanying the Israelites during the Exodus and during their time in the desert. It was in a cloud of incense God appeared before the High Priest on the holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement.” (Dennis Prager The Rational Bible: Exodus)
APPLICATION: The incense burned on this altar was made from a special recipe and was to be used solely for that purpose. When the Israelites smelled that incense, they would know that their priests were acting on their behalf to fulfill God’s commands regarding His worship. Hopefully, the smell of the incense would move those around the Tabernacle to pray their own prayers.
Later on, in Psalm 141:2, the psalmist also links the idea of incense with the prayers of the faithful. “May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering.” In the Book of Revelation, the prayers of the saints are linked with divine incense. (Revelation 8:3 – 4 “Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.”
Incense is still used in some churches, notably the Catholic and Anglican churches; however, any one of us may pray and be assured that our prayers will glorify the Lord. It’s an interesting thing about prayer: effective prayers do not have to be loud or eloquent. Some of the most effective prayers in the world probably start with the words, “Help me, Lord!”
Jesus told a story (Luke 18) about two men who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, a professional religious person, proudly stood up in front of everybody and recited all of his virtues to God. The tax collector hid in a corner and beat his chest as he begged God to be merciful to him for being a sinner. Jesus advised his hearers that it was the tax collector whose prayers were accepted by God. Today, come to God humbly and simply and tell Him what is on your heart. He is waiting to hear you and to help you.
PRAYER: Father God, so many people have no idea of who you are! Please open eyes and hearts to approach you and to pray to you. And give those who come to you tokens of your love and grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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