The Altar of Incense

The Altar of Incense- Exodus 30:1–10

Seeing and Savoring the Shadow of Christ in the Altar of Incense should lead us to adore our interceding Savior

Prayer is a subject which, in almost every instance, causes Christians conviction. We know it is the greatest privilege of a Christian, purchased by God the Son. We know we need the Lord’s help in our fight against sin, our growth in holiness, and in everything we do.

We know that, when we consider the time we spend living our lives, we are ashamed with how little we pray. John Piper’s statement, “One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from a lack of time,” brings deep conviction.

Perhaps you, like me, are already feeling conviction.

Our goal is not to look at our prayer lives this morning, although I think we will see there is a sweet invitation for more prayer with such a delightful God. We are going to talk about the prayer life of Jesus. In particular, we are going to see how the Altar of Incense, a beautiful piece of furniture by which a sweet smelling aroma which would help the Tabernacle smell delightful, provides us with a tangible picture of the beauty of Christ’s intercession.

Seeing and Savoring the Shadow of Christ in the Altar of Incense should lead us to adore our interceding Savior

I. The Altar of Incense- Ex. 30:1–10

The Altar of Incense is the last piece of furniture of the holy place prior to entering into the Holiest of All (or, Holy of Holies).

A. Located in the Holy Place- 30:6

Remember, this place was attended to twice a day (to take care of the Menorah and now the Altar of Incense). Once a week the loaves of the showbread were changed on the Sabbath (cf. Lev. 24:5–9). The Holy Place was the room before the holiest of all where the Presence of Yahweh dwelt.

Because this piece of furniture was in the holy place, it also had similar materials to the table for showbread and the Lampstand.

B. Pure Gold, Acacia Wood, Two Poles- 30:1–5, 22–38

The same type of metal (gold) and wood (acacia) was used, as well as poles to carry the piece of furniture (remember this is a mobile Tabernacle directing the people of Israel through the wilderness (Ex. 40:34–38).

C. Daily Use, Yearly Atonement- 30:7–10

Aaron and his sons were to burn incense twice a day, morning and evening (along with trimming the Lampstand and cleaning it up). It needed to be atoned for once a year, reminding Israel that the only way they could come to God was through the death of another.

But what was the purpose of the altar?

II. The Purpose of the Altar- Ex. 30:1, Luke 1:8–10

I see two purposes, one initially in our passage in Exodus and the other typified in our passage but clarified and expanded in our other passages.

A. To offer Incense- Ex. 30:1, 7–8

The simplest explanation for the purpose of the incense was it was part of the worship of God. It was observed daily, to maintain obedience to Israel’s covenantal obligations (see Ex. 19:1–6).

B. Performed by the Priests- Ex. 30:7–8

Only the priests were to perform this task (which is why I provide the reference to Zechariah in Luke chapter 1. The common Israelite was not allowed into the holy place; they could not offer incense.

C. A Type of Prayer- Psalm 141:2; Rev. 5:8

Types require historical realities (for example, the furniture which points to Christ were real pieces of furniture) that escalate in significance (for example, these shadows point to Christ’s work) (Hamilton, Typology, 19–26)

We see this in the offering of incense, particularly in two passages, Psalm 141:2 and Rev. 5:8. David connects his prayer to God with incense.

III. The Purity of the Altar

As we move from each piece of furniture to furniture, or even consider the Tabernacle as a whole, we can forget the significance of the Tabernacle: a dwelling place for God among his national people Israel.

They are approaching an infinitely holy God. This holy God provides gracious instructions for Israel to approach Him. If they obey, all is well. If they disobey, they face death.

A. Danger of Covenantal Disobedience- Lev. 26:14–46, especially 30

B. Dangers of Unbiblical Worship- Num. 16, especially 31–35

To use this recipe for common use would bring separation from the covenant.

To use a different recipe than God’s instructions would bring separation from the covenant.

*CHURCH MEMBERSHIP*

IV. The Person of the Altar- John 17; Heb. 7:23–25; 1 John 2:1–2

We read the entirety of the beautiful prayer of Christ from John chapter 17. That prayer was a prayer for the disciples and for us, our Lord Jesus’s prayer for us.

Seeing and Savoring the Shadow of Christ in the Altar of Incense should lead us to adore our interceding Savior

Why should we adore the Lord Jesus for His prayers?

A. Because His prayers guarantee our Salvation

Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

B. Because His prayers guarantee His work will be completed

John 17:11 “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

John 17:1 “But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

C. Because His prayers remind us of His inexhaustible forgiveness

Do you ever struggle with sin, giving into temptation over and over again?

1 John 2:1–2 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

D. Because His prayers help us walk through this fallen world

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.”—Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“Unutterably solemn is it to contemplate Christ at the brazen altar there made sin for us, suffering, enduring judgment, bowing His head beneath the awful storm of God’s wrath. But unspeakably blessed is it to behold Him at the golden altar, risen from the grace, alive for evermore, maintaining the interests of His people before God’s throne, presenting them in all His own excellency and preciousness.” A. W. Pink

Seeing and Savoring the Shadow of Christ in the Altar of Incense should lead us to adore our interceding Savior

How could we not adore this lovely Savior, who not only gave His life as a ransom to save us from sin to glory, but who ever-lives to pray for us?