‏ Exodus 30

Exodus 30:1-10: The Altar of Incense and Its Meaning

This passage gives detailed instructions about the altar of incense in the tabernacle. God tells Moses how to build and use this altar, which was meant for burning incense as a symbol of prayer and worship. The altar’s design, its use, and its cleansing show how important it is to come to God in the right way. The altar also points forward to spiritual truths about Jesus Christ and the prayers of believers.

v. 1-5: God commands that the altar of incense be made of wood and covered with pure gold. It should be about a yard high and half a yard wide, with horns on the corners, a golden edge, and golden rings and poles for carrying it (v. 1-5 ^a). There is no grate for ashes; instead, incense is burned in a golden censer, and the coals and ashes are removed with it. In Ezekiel’s vision, the altar is twice as big and only made of wood, with no gold, to show that worship in the future would be more spiritual and offered everywhere (Ezek. xli. 22; Mal. i. 11 ^b).

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v. 6: The altar was to be placed outside the veil but in front of the mercy seat, which was inside the veil (v. 6 ^c). The priest could not see the mercy seat because of the veil, but he would face it when offering incense. This shows us that even if we cannot see God’s throne with our eyes, we must pray by faith and focus our hearts on Him (Heb. 4:16 ^d).

v. 7-8: Aaron, the high priest, was to burn sweet incense on this altar every morning and every evening, using about half a pound each time (v. 7, 8 ^e). The incense would cover the smell from the burnt offerings outside and show that God accepted the worship of His people. The daily incense reminds us that our prayers and good works should be pleasing to God, just as the smoke was sweet to Him.

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v. 9: God strictly commanded that only incense be burned on this altar, and only the incense He had chosen (v. 9 ^f). Nothing else should be offered. God wants His worship done His way, not ours (Lev. 10:1-2 ^g).

v. 10: Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the altar had to be purified with the blood of the sin offering, put on its horns (v. 10; Lev. xvi. 18, 19 ^h). This showed that even the altar, and the priests who served there, needed cleansing from sin. The high priest would do this as he came out from the Most Holy Place.

(Spiritual Meaning): The altar of incense is a symbol of Jesus Christ’s work as our mediator. The brazen altar in the courtyard pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice on earth, but the golden altar in the sanctuary pointed to Jesus praying for us in heaven (1 John ii. 1 ⁱ). The altar had a crown, because Jesus is our king as well as our intercessor (John xvii. 24 ^j). The incense also represents the prayers of believers, which go up to God like a sweet smell (Ps. cxli. 2 ^k). While the priest burned incense, the people prayed outside (Luke i. 10 ^l). We should have regular set times for prayer, every morning and evening (v. 8; 1 Thess. 5:17 ^m). At the same time, the lamps were lit or trimmed, showing that reading God’s word should go along with our prayers. Our prayers are pleasing to God, but they are truly accepted because Jesus adds His perfect sacrifice to them (Rev. v. 8; Rev. viii. 3 ⁿ). However, if our hearts are not holy, even incense is offensive to God (Isa. i. 13; Isa. lxvi. 3 ^o).

Exodus 30:11-16: The Census Offering for the Tabernacle

This passage gives instructions about a special offering that the Israelites had to pay when they were counted in a census. Every person was required to give the same amount of money for the service of the tabernacle. This payment was a way to show that everyone, rich or poor, depended on God for their lives. The money was used for the needs of public worship, showing that everyone should support the house of God. The repetition of the words, The Lord spoke unto Moses, in this and other verses (v. 17, 22, 34 ^p), suggests that God gave these commands to Moses with pauses, possibly so Moses could remember or write them, just as Jesus taught his disciples as they were able to understand (Mark iv. 33 ^q).

v. 12-13: God commanded that whenever the people were counted, each person must give half a shekel as an offering to the Lord (v. 12, 13 ^r). This offering was called a ransom for their souls, so that no plague would come on them when they were numbered. It reminded them that their lives belonged to God and that they depended on His mercy for protection and life.

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v. 14-15: Every person, rich or poor, had to pay the same amount—half a shekel—showing that all lives are equally valuable to God (v. 14, 15 ^s). God does not favor anyone because of their wealth or status (Acts x. 34; Job.34.19 ^t). In other offerings, people could give more or less depending on what they had, but here everyone gave the same, because everyone needs forgiveness and everyone receives the same benefits from God's grace. As it says in Proverbs xxii. 2 ^u, rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.

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v. 16: The money collected was used for the service of the tabernacle, such as buying sacrifices, flour, incense, wine, oil, salt, and supplies for the priests (v. 16 ^v). This shows that everyone who benefits from worship should also help pay for it. Supporting God’s house and public worship is a way to honor Him. While money cannot truly pay for sin or save a soul, it can be used to honor God and support the ministry that shares the message of atonement through Jesus.

Exodus 30:17-21: The Bronze Laver for Washing

This passage describes God's instructions for making a bronze basin, called a laver, to hold water for the priests to wash before serving in the tabernacle. The laver was placed near the entrance and was a reminder that purity and cleanliness were necessary for those who served God. The washing symbolized spiritual cleansing, and it points to the need for everyone to come to God with a clean heart.

v. 18: God commanded that a laver, or large basin, be made out of brass and placed near the door of the tabernacle (v. 18 ^w). The base was also made of brass and was designed to collect water from the laver. This was a special basin only for the priests to use. The laver points to the spiritual truth that there is now an open fountain for everyone to be cleansed, just as it says in Zechariah xiii. 1 ^x: a fountain opened…for sin and for uncleanness.

v. 19-21: Aaron and his sons, the priests, had to wash their hands and feet with water from the laver every time they entered the tabernacle to serve or approached the altar (v. 19-21 ^y). The water had to be clean and fresh each day. Even if they had washed at home, they still had to wash here as God commanded (2 Kings v. 12-14 ^z). This taught them to respect God’s holiness and to remember how easy it is to become spiritually unclean. Only those with clean hands and a pure heart may stand in God’s holy place (Ps. xxiv. 3, 4 ^aa). For us, this means we should daily repent and trust in the blood of Christ to cleanse us (John xiii. 8, 10; James iii. 2 ^ab). Before we come to worship or take part in special services, we must prepare our hearts by confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness (James iv. 8 ^ac). David referred to this when he said, I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O LORD (Ps. xxvi. 6 ^ad).

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Exodus 30:22-38: The Holy Anointing Oil and Incense

This passage gives instructions for making the special anointing oil and incense used in the tabernacle. God chose the exact ingredients and how they should be mixed. These holy substances were not for ordinary use, but set apart to honor God. The oil and incense showed the beauty and holiness of God’s house, and they also pointed to deeper spiritual truths about Jesus Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

v. 23-25: God told Moses the exact spices and amounts to use for making the holy anointing oil (v. 23-25 ^ae). The spices were the best and most suitable for this purpose because God Himself chose them. The oil was to be made by a skilled apothecary, mixing the spices and oil together and then straining it. The result was a wonderfully sweet-smelling oil.

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v. 26-30: This oil was used to anoint the tabernacle, all its furniture, and the priests (v. 26-30 ^af). Anointing made them holy and set apart for God’s service. The oil was to be used for all generations. Some Jewish traditions say the original oil lasted for a very long time, but it is more likely that new oil was made as needed, following God’s instructions. In the second temple, this special oil was not used anymore, which pointed forward to the better anointing of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (Acts ii. 1-4 ^ag). The sweet smell and beauty in the tabernacle showed the excellence of holiness. Christ’s name is compared to ointment poured forth (Song of Solomon i. 3 ^ah), and a good reputation is better than precious ointment (Eccl. vii. 1 ^ai).

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v. 31: The anointing oil was to be preserved and used through all generations (v. 31 ^aj), showing that God’s ways do not change and that holiness is always important.

v. 32-33: No one was allowed to make oil like this for themselves or use it on anyone except priests or the tabernacle. Anyone who did was to be cut off from the community (v. 32, 33 ^ak). This teaches us to respect what God has made holy and not treat sacred things as ordinary.

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v. 34-35: God also gave instructions for making the incense that was burned on the golden altar (v. 34, 35 ^al). The incense was made from sweet spices, though not as rare or expensive as those in the oil. The Jews say a pound was made for each day of the year, plus extra for the Day of Atonement. When used, it was to be beaten very fine. This points to how Jesus suffered for us and became a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savor to God (Ephesians v. 2 ^am).

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v. 37-38: Just as with the oil, no one was to make incense like this for personal use. If anyone did, they were to be cut off from God’s people (v. 37, 38 ^an). This rule helped the people keep a deep respect for God’s worship. We must not treat holy things lightly or use them for entertainment, as some did with music in the time of Amos (Amos vi. 5 ^ao), or as others did with God’s word (Matt. xxii. 5 ^ap). What belongs to God must be kept special and not used as a common thing.