The Altar of Incense
In the set of instructions the Lord is giving Moses and the children of Israel for the Tabernacle, The Lord has them make an altar of incense. This altar is to be used ONLY for incense, twice a day, perpetually (Ex 30:7-8). He also is specific about only HIS incense will be burned on it, and only incense is burned on it. No sacrifices… no other offerings. (Ex 30:9). Of the Altar of Incense…
Exodus 30:10 “… It is most holy to the Lord.”
I did a search and discovered that this phrase, “most holy” is in the NKJV only 3 times before this verse. Twice it references that place in the tabernacle where God will reside – the Most Holy (Ex 26:33, 34) – and the only other reference is to the Altar of Burnt Offering where the offerings of atonement are made (Ex 29:37).
This is the first reference I found to the “most holy to the Lord,” and to me it implies that this burning of the incense is very special to God, thus He wants to keep it sacred, set apart, and undiluted and continual… remember twice a day… perpetually…
So what’s the significance of incense?
Interestingly enough, the word “incense” is only in two books of the New Testament – at least in the New King James Version – Luke and Revelation. Three references in Luke all refer to the act, time or place of burning incense in the temple under the Law. (Luke 1:9, 10, 11)
The next four references are in the book of Revelation. In three of the four references, incense is associated with and equated with the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8 “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints“
Revelation 8:3-5 “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. “
Just in case it hasn’t hit you yet, you and I – if we are in Christ – are the saints who are praying…
I think God established early- as he was establishing the Tabernacle, His dwelling place – that our prayers, our earnest and honest communication and communion with Him; our multiple times a day interaction and relationship with Him is sacred, set apart, and special to Him. I’m not talking about religious dronings and chants and repeated phrases over and over. I’m talking about sitting down and having coffee with your best friend conversation… real, authentic, genuine talking and listening. He doesn’t want it polluted with other relationships or polluted by the religious machine. He is our Daddy and he wants to spend time with his children. The very first commandment:
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. “
Exodus 20:5 “… For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, …”
Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
Doesn’t that excite you just a little bit, that the God of the Universe is anxiously awaiting some time with you? That He deems is sacred? He thinks it is special? He keeps it holy? Frankly, it overwhelms me a little bit.
Thank you Daddy that you cherish spending time with me. I’m am so sorry to have let the worries of today cloud and crowd my time with you. I give you this day, this time to just sit and be with you. I ask for your grace to strengthen me to make time for this most important relationship, this son with his Daddy.
Running After Papa…