LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Altar of Incense
In Exodus chapter 30, the altar of incense is described. This altar is different from the brazen altar, which was located in the court. This one is of gold, and smaller, and is located in the Holy Place.
Its location in the Holy Place is not accidental, as nothing is in the tabernacle. To enter it, it is necessary to have first passed through the brazen altar, that is, the cross of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. The altar of incense represents the intercessory ministry of Christ and, by extension, the service of every priest.
The brazen altar is for atonement; the golden altar is for intercession. These are two of the offices of the Lord Jesus Christ, first as Lamb and then as Advocate at the right hand of God.
The altar of incense is the altar of prayer. In Revelation 8:1-5, we can see the value of the prayers of the saints-which are added to those of the Lord Jesus as High Priest-as they trigger God's judgments on earth. Heaven moves at the behest of the prayers of the saints on earth.
All believers are permanently associated with these two altars. With the brazen one, for they must go to the blood of the cross for the forgiveness of their sins; and with the golden one, to develop their intercessory ministry on behalf of men, and worship. (These are the two altars spoken of by the psalmist in Psalms 84:3).
Now, the offices performed on this second altar are based on what happened on the first altar. Without the Blood, we cannot stand before God to exercise our priesthood. No intercessory prayer would be heard; it is not for our righteousness, but for the righteousness of Christ.
The measures of this altar, like others of the tabernacle, correspond to half numbers; which means that God waits for man to collaborate with him. God and man make the measure complete.
In Exodus it is said that the altar was located in the Holy Place; but in Hebrews 9:4 it is said that it was located in the Most Holy Place. What does this mean? Simply, that the altar of incense was brought from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place. So also prayer begins in the soul and passes to the spirit.
This altar also had rings and rods to carry it, which indicates the progression of our spiritual service. We must always advance a little more, in the direction of the Lord.
Every day incense was to be offered, along with the service of the lamps. But before describing the composition of the incense, the anointing oil is described. These two things go together, but first goes the anointing oil, for it comes from above. The oil comes down from Aaron's head to touch the hem of his garments (i.e., from Christ to his church), bringing us the riches of Christ, while the incense goes up to God. Both the oil and the incense were holy, and could not be used for a profane purpose. These are the holy things on which the angels long to look.