Exo 30:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter shows the objects needed to draw near to God as priest. It starts with the altar of incense. The altar of incense is the second altar. It is in the holy place, just before the veil. The first altar, the altar of burnt offering, is in the court. The altar of burnt offering is of bronze, the altar of incense is of gold. Bronze speaks of the righteousness of God, gold speaks of the glory of God. The incense represents prayer and worship ( ; ). The altar is a picture of the Lord Jesus. He brings our incense, which are our prayers and worship, to God ( ), making it pleasing to God. That the altar is placed “in front of the mercy seat” is also a reminder of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” ( ). The dimensions of the altar of incense are smaller than those of the altar of burnt offering. The altar of burnt offering is there for all people: everyone can be saved on the basis of the work of the Lord Jesus. The altar of incense is only for those who have been saved, who can draw near as priests with worship to God. The poles indicate that it is a service that takes place in the wilderness. We may enter the sanctuary in spirit, while our feet are still on earth. The sacrifice of incense is directly linked to the lighting of the lamps by Aaron. This speaks of the fact that Divine light is needed to worship God. We need to know how He wants us to worship Him ( ). There should be nothing from ourselves, nothing from our own thoughts. God wants to hear from us about His Son what He sees in Him. In His Word He revealed His thoughts about His Son ( ). Through His Spirit we may see this too.

‏ Exodus 30:1-2

The Altar of Incense

This chapter shows the objects needed to draw near to God as priest. It starts with the altar of incense. The altar of incense is the second altar. It is in the holy place, just before the veil. The first altar, the altar of burnt offering, is in the court. The altar of burnt offering is of bronze, the altar of incense is of gold. Bronze speaks of the righteousness of God, gold speaks of the glory of God.

The incense represents prayer and worship (Psa 141:2; Rev 5:8). The altar is a picture of the Lord Jesus. He brings our incense, which are our prayers and worship, to God (Rev 8:3-4), making it pleasing to God. That the altar is placed “in front of the mercy seat” is also a reminder of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (1Jn 2:1).

The dimensions of the altar of incense are smaller than those of the altar of burnt offering. The altar of burnt offering is there for all people: everyone can be saved on the basis of the work of the Lord Jesus. The altar of incense is only for those who have been saved, who can draw near as priests with worship to God.

The poles indicate that it is a service that takes place in the wilderness. We may enter the sanctuary in spirit, while our feet are still on earth.

The sacrifice of incense is directly linked to the lighting of the lamps by Aaron. This speaks of the fact that Divine light is needed to worship God. We need to know how He wants us to worship Him (Jn 4:24). There should be nothing from ourselves, nothing from our own thoughts. God wants to hear from us about His Son what He sees in Him. In His Word He revealed His thoughts about His Son (Mt 3:17 ; Mt 17:5). Through His Spirit we may see this too.