LESSON 34
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE & WORSHIP
By E. L. Bynum, Pastor
Memory verse: 30:10————Lesson: Exodus 30:1-16
In approaching the tabernacle, a person would come first to the, brazen altar which was just inside the gate of the fence. The brazen altar speaks of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. The golden altar of incense speaks of Christ and His intercession for us.
Please notice the following note from Pink. “There were two altars connected with the Tabernacle. Both were made of wood, but covered with a different metal: the one with brass, and so named after it `the brazen altar’ (Ex. 38 :30) ; the other with gold, and so called `the golden altar’ (Ex. 39 :38). The one was placed outside the building in the court, just before the entrance; the other was inside the holy place, and stood before the vail. These altars were closely connected, but served different uses. Their characteristic names point out their distinctive designs: the former being designated `the altar of burnt offering’ (40:6), and was the place of sacrifice; the latter was termed `the altar of incense’ (30 :27), and was the place of worship. Both altars were needed to set forth our one and only Altar, of whom it is written, `we have an Altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle’ (Heb. 13:10).” Arthur W. Pink
I. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. v. 1-10
A. The Plans For Building. v. 1-5
1. It was to be made of shittim wood – a type of the humanity of Christ. v. 1
2. The dimensions of it. v. 2. 18″ x 18″ x 36″ high. It was the tallest piece of furniture in the Holy Place. The highest act of worship is prayer and priestly intercession.
3. The horns speak of power. v. 2. Hab. 3:4, And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
4. The golden crown speak of Christ’s deity and kingship. v. 3
5. It was to be portable so that Israel would never be without it. v . 4-5
B. Its Place And Purpose. v. 6-10
1. It was placed in the holy place just before the inner vail, near to the ark of testimony (mercy seat) just inside the vail. v. 6.
a. The altar of incense is a type of Christ, and the burning incense speaks of his intercession for us. The intercession of Christ, brings us close to God, and makes it possible for us to come boldly to God’s throne of grace. Rom. 8:33-34, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Heb. 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
b. The brazen altar speaks to the sacrifice of Christ, while the altar of incense speaks of the intercession of Christ for us. We had to have both to come into the presence of God.
c. The golden altar of incense was placed in the same room with the golden candlestick, and the golden table of shewbread.
2. The time of the incense burning, morning and evening. v.7-8
3. The typical meaning of the incense. v. 7-8.
a. Incense is typical of prayer. Psa. 141:2, Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
b. The prayers of the saints are thus typified. Rev. 5:8, And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. Heb. 13:15, By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. I Pet. 2:5, 9, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
c. Aaron is a figure or type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. 8:1, …We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Heb. 9:24, For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
d. Aaron offered only for Israel, and Christ intercedes only for the saints. John 17:9; Luke 22:32; and Rev. 8:3.
4. The Prohibitions. v. 9
a. No strange incense or strange fire. v. 9. The fire came from the brazen altar, where the sacrifice satisfied a holy God’s judgment on sin. This rules out ritualistic and emotional worship that is devoid of the truth of God and is destitute of the Holy Spirit. Ex. 30:38; Lev. 9:24; 10:1-2; 16:12; 6:12,13; 10:1-3; I Cor. 1:11-13; and Col. 2:8, 16-19.
b. No burnt sacrifice or meat-offerings, which would confuse the two altars, and mix sacrifices and worship.
5. The atonement was made once a year on the day of atonement. Lev. 16
a. All intercession based on the fact of atonement.
b. On the horns – the power of intercession based on the atonement.
c. All of this was to be perpetual and continual. So Christ’s intercession is for us. Heb. 7:25, 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.
II. THE PRICE OF THE ATONEMENT. v. 11-16
A. The Atonement Needed By All. v. 11-14
1. To be numbered with Israel, the people of God, the price had to be paid. v. 12
2. It had to be paid, that there be no plague. v. 12-14
a. David’s sin in numbering Israel. (1) God did not tell him to number Israel. (2) David did not require atonement money. II Sam. 24. I Chron. 21:1-4, And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. I Chron. 21:7-8, And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
b. The price was an half shekel of silver, a type of the blood of Christ. v. 13. I Pet. 1:18-19
4. It was a necessity for all who were 20 and above. v. 14
B. The Atonement Was The Same For All . v. 15
1. Neither the rich or the poor were excluded.
2. Neither the rich or the poor had any advantage.
3. All had the same redemption price.
C. The Use Of The Atonement Money. v. 16
1. It was to be used in the service of the tabernacle.
2. It was to be a memorial, that was used to make the very foundation of the tabernacle itself. This shows that the silver was on a symbol of the sacrifices and atonement made by the blood. Ex. 38:25-27
3. Remember that the blood of Christ was the only way for eternal atonement to be made for the sinner. I Pet. 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
—by E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Name and contrast the two altars of the tabernacle.
2. What was the significance of the height of the altar we are studying in this lesson?
3. What materials was it made of, and what was their typical meaning?
4. What did the horns of this altar speak of?
5. Where was it located in the tabernacle?
6. What was offered on this altar, and when?
7. What was the meaning of this offering?
8. Aaron was a type of _____________ How?
9. What were they forbidden to offer on this altar and why?
10. What was the atonement money, and what did it typify?
11. What was placed on this altar once a year, and where on the altar?