SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 30
BIBLE VERSES:
“Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come” (Exodus 30:7-8)
“Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.” (Exodus 30:16)
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.” (Exodus 30:17-21)
“Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests” ( Exodus 30:30)
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (vs. 1-10)
The A;tar of Incense was made of acacia wood overlayed with pure gold. Aaron must burn the fragrant incense when he tends the lamps every morning and evening. The time is to keep on burning regularly before the Lord.
ATONEMENT MONEY (vs. 11-16)
Each Israelite must pay the Lord an “atonement money” as a ransom for his life. Both the rich and poor were required to pay a ransom.
BASIN FOR WASHING (vs. 17-21)
Before Aaron and his son entered the Tent of Meeting, they had to wash their hands with water. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants to observe.
ANOINTING OIL (vs. 22-33)
The Anointing oil is a composition of five spices: liquid myrrh, fragrant cinnamon, fragrant cane, cassia and olive oil. The sacred anointing oil will be used to anoint the Tent of Meetings, the Ark of Testimony, the table and all its articles. the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. They will be consecrated to become holy. Aaron and his sons must be anointed and consecrated to the Lord to serve as priest.
INCENSE (vs. 34-38)
The composition of incense: gum, resin, onycha , galbanum, and pure frankincense are to be blended as a fragrant incense. Grind them into powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting where the Lord will meet with Aaron.
THOUGHTS:
The Altar of Incense symbolizes the ministry of prayer. Before, God’s people had to stand before the veil before they could enter into the presence of God. Now, we can come into His presence anytime in prayer.
The Atonement Money was like a census tax with the principle that all people belonged to God needed to be redeemed. God demands us to come humbly before Him to be forgiven and brought into his family.
The priests were to be washed before they serve the Lord in the holy tabernacle. We must also keep our daily walk clear as we serve the Lord. So, it is necessary for us to confess our sins and be “washed over” by God in order to enjoy fellowship with the Lord.
Aaron and his sons must be anointed with special oil not to be duplicated or desecrated for common use. It is wonderful that Christians today have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
The high priest burned the incense to the Lord each morning and evening, a reminder that we should open and close the day with prayer. Remember to pray without ceasing. The incense has special composition and formula which was not to be used for common purpose. Likewise, in prayer, only those according to God’s will will be answered.