The Altar Of Incense

The Lord gave Moses the layout and plans for the Tabernacle, which was a tent divided into two compartments – the holy place and the holy of holies. It was designed as God’s movable “sanctuary” (Ex 25:8), to signify His presence (Ex 29:45), during the 40 years that Israel spent wandering in the wilderness (Deut 8:2). It was filled with various articles that pictures our Lord Jesus, Who came as “an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Heb 9:11). We no longer need a human “high priest” (Lev 21:10). Jesus is now our High Priest Who “make intercession” (Heb 7:25), for His people before the throne of God (Rom 8:34)! The “altar to burn incense” symbolizes some truths about our prayer lives.

God wants us to be consistent in our prayers (1 Thes 5:17). Wood and gold (v. 5), were used to make this altar. Wood is a symbol of Christ’s humanity (Isa 11:1), while gold symbolizes His Deity (Mt 2:11). He is God (Jn 1:1), Who “was made flesh” (Jn 1:14). While He was here on earth, people saw the wood, so to speak (Isa 53:2), because His Divine nature was hidden under His humanity (Col 1:16). Notice that this altar was overlayed with pure gold on the outside and with “a crown of gold round about” (v. 3).

This points to our glorified Saviour Who is in Heaven and sitting “at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). This altar with all its materials speaks of the person of our Lord Jesus, the Only “mediator between God and men” (1 Tim 2:5)! When we trusted Jesus as our Lord and Savior by faith (Rom 10:9), we were made “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4), through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). He now intercedes for us in our prayers (Rom 8:26). This is all the more reason for God’s children to pray consistently and continually (Lk 18:1), before His presence! God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera