The Incense Altar
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Text: Exodus 30:1-10
Intro: The altar of incense was made of incorruptible shittim wood and overlaid with gold. The therm four-square is signifying that all four sides were the same creating a square. The altar of incense is the tallest of all the instruments with-in the Holy Place. It was equipped with four horns and a crown. Then to carry the altar the Lord gave instruction for 2 rings to be placed on 2 corners so that staves could be passed through and the altar could be carried.
The position of the altar was before the vail by the ark of testimony and the mercy seat. The altar was to be sanctified by the High Priest with the blood of the atoning sacrifice and this was to be done once per year.
The function of the altar was to burn incense. Every morning and evening when the High Priest would enter into the Holy Place to dress the lamps, then he would burn incense upon the altar. It was to be a perpetual incense for the Lord. (Perpetual representing, never ceasing, without intermission, and permanent.)
The Lord gives the composition of the incense and is very particular in His instructions. (Exodus 30:34-38) This instruction is also given with a severe warning for those that chose not the heed. The incense was separated unto the Lord and was the be holy for the Lord.
The Burning of Incense is a Symbol of ____________________:
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense;
And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Of everything that rise heavenward in this world, there is nothing more acceptable to the Living God then the voice and breath of sincere prayer! It has in it the music of praise, and the fragrance of an open and confessed dependence upon Him!
Incense was offered by the ____________________________: (Exodus 30:7-8)
Aaron here is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven as He offers up prayers and intercessions for all of those that are His.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
There is a Bible principle that is set before us here and confirmed through Christ’s prayer while He was still here on this earth. Aaron offered up this incense exclusively for the Children of Israel. It is also true of the Lord, that His prayers are for those that are His.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
What a seal of separation from this world and a seal of separation unto Christ there is here in this prayer! What a sense of nearness and intimacy this gives us! Just think that He, Who is in Heaven, Who all things consists by Him, He is praying for you! He operates in the throne room of God, and His prayer is one that is beyond definition and human comprehension.
Believe that He is praying for you! Remember that no matter what storm covered sky, or tempest is raging, no matter how strong the winds or rains beat upon you, no matter how helpless you feel, or how shattered and scattered your plans seem, no matter how dark, and no matter what hissing you may hear in your ear of that old serpent. Jesus is holding you up in prayer! He is praying us through and when we believe that, there is wonderful comfort, blessing and assurance that is not possible when I depend upon by own poor, blind, and wholly selfish prayer…
Just think of how often you escape sickness, disease, the assault of your circumstances or even death because He has prayed for you. His intercession has brought special providences to us and for us all along our path. We will never truly know all that He has done for us until we stand face to face with Him in glory!
An Example: Before Peter stumbled and fell the Lord ______________ for him.
The Lord was clear as to what was going to happen and He told Peter that the Devil desired to sift him as wheat. (Luke 22:32) We notice that the Lord did not tell Peter that He had prayed for him to escape the assault or snare, but that He prayed for his faith. He prayed that his faith fail not. Peter had gone down into the blackest of pits. The Devil used Peter’s infirmity of self-confidence and boasting, to then fill him with fear and cowardice. Peter then denied the Lord… He denied Him because he feared that he might lose his life if he confessed Him. But… the Lord looked at Peter, a look that reminded Peter not only of the words of Christ, but the prayer that was offered up on his behalf. It was that look which resulted in Peter coming out of that darkness more loyal and more devoted than ever before, with a triumphant faith, and a chastened soul.
Our Prayers Before the Lord: Not only does the Lord intercede on our behalf, but it is through Him that our prayers enter the throne room of God!
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
This is all and only possible on the basis of His perfect sacrifice! Without the sacrifice of Christ, not a single petition of our would ever ascend to the Courts of Heaven.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Therefore;
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.