The Altar of Incense [How Prayer Pleases God]

Moses was to have another altar built for a special, unique purpose. It was not very big in size, but held very large impact for the sons of Israel. At less than 2’ wide x 3’ tall, this gold overlayed altar would be used everyday. Once a year it also was used again for another event.

This altar would have incense burning on it all the time. Aaron would come into the tabernacle every morning, trim the lamps of the menorah, and then burn incense to begin the day of service. In the evening, he would again trim the lamps of the menorah and then burn incense. The aroma of the burning incense would fill the tabernacle and slowly move outward to the outer court where the people could smell it, perhaps even see the smoke of the incense.

It was placed as near to the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant as possible without actually being placed inside the Holy of Holies. It held the place directly in front of the veil, just before the Ark. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Aaron would take some of the blood of the yearly sacrifice and make atonement on its horns. This was most holy to the LORD.

This altar shows up later in the Bible on many occasions, most notably in Revelation, when the Lamb breaks the seventh seal and there is silence in heaven for half an hour. An angel comes out from this altar of incense with a golden censer, adding to it the prayers of the saints. The smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints go up before God. Then the angel throws the censer to the earth with great peaks of thunder, lightning, and an earthquake.

The incense of the altar was connected to prayer. Our prayers rise up before God like a pleasant aroma. We should pray all the time, but especially in the morning and evening. ‘Let my prayers be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Accept my prayers incense offered before you.’ Psalm 141 refers to this altar of incense and connects prayer to it. So lift your voices in prayer to God before His throne!

[marisolflores]

Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God’s heritage, to give man another trial. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. – {COL 156.2}

[churchclothes]

Moses was to have another altar built for a special, unique purpose. It was not very big in size, but held very large impact for the sons of Israel. At less than 2’ wide x 3’ tall, this gold overlayed altar would be used everyday. Once a year it also was used again for another event.

This altar would have incense burning on it all the time. Aaron would come into the tabernacle every morning, trim the lamps of the menorah, and then burn incense to begin the day of service. In the evening, he would again trim the lamps of the menorah and then burn incense. The aroma of the burning incense would fill the tabernacle and slowly move outward to the outer court where the people could smell it, perhaps even see the smoke of the incense.

It was placed as near to the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant as possible without actually being placed inside the Holy of Holies. It held the place directly in front of the veil, just before the Ark. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Aaron would take some of the blood of the yearly sacrifice and make atonement on its horns. This was most holy to the LORD.

This altar shows up later in the Bible on many occasions, most notably in Revelation, when the Lamb breaks the seventh seal and there is silence in heaven for half an hour. An angel comes out from this altar of incense with a golden censer, adding to it the prayers of the saints. The smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints go up before God. Then the angel throws the censer to the earth with great peaks of thunder, lightning, and an earthquake.

The incense of the altar was connected to prayer. Our prayers rise up before God like a pleasant aroma. We should pray all the time, but especially in the morning and evening. ‘Let my prayers be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Accept my prayers incense offered before you.’ Psalm 141 refers to this altar of incense and connects prayer to it. So lift your voices in prayer to God before His throne!