IX. The Golden Altar of Incense
It was made of shittim wood, a cubit (1.824 ft.) in length, and a cubit in breadth, foursquare and two
cubits high (Exod.30:2). This Altar had four horns, a crown and two staves to carry it. The whole Altar
was overlaid with Gold (Exod.30:1-9) and was placed before the Vail (Exod.40:26). Aaron (the high
priest) was to daily take a censor full of burning coals from the Brazen (brass) Altar and carry it
into the Holy Place and put the coals on the Golden Altar (Exod.30:7-9). Then Aaron
placed frankincense
on the burning coals which produced a cloud. Then once a year Aaron was to "take a censer full of
burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense
beaten small, and bring it within the Vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord,
that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not"
(Lev.16:12-13 Note:Rev.8:1-3[34]). There was to be no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor
meat (i.e. food) offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering" on this Altar (Exod.30:9).
A. The Cloud is our Prayerful Worship
The Holy Spirit inspired (2Tim.3:16-17) David to write, "Let my
prayer (intercession, by implication a hymn) [1] [39] be set forth
before thee as incense..." (Psa.141:2 Note: Eph.5:19, Col.3:16).
The apostle John saw the angel under the seventh seal offering
incense with the prayers[40] of the saints (Rev.8:1-3). Note: Rev.5:8
"Odors" / incense [21]
B. Cloud / burning coals.
These "burning coals" came from the Brazen Altar.[35]
(i.e. the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ) Our prayerful
worship and praise, must begin with being redeemed by
the blood of Christ.
C. Aaron brought the burning coals
Just as Aaron (the high priest) took "a censer full of burning
coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord" (Lev.16:12), Jesus
"our High Priest" (Heb.3:1) has provided for us the foundation for
our prayer and worship through His atoning blood. For "it is by
Him..." (1Cor.1:5, Col.1:17, Col.1:1-20, 1Peter.2:5, Heb.13:15).
Review: Phase 4, Page 3
1. Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu brought "strange" fire
They took "strange [2] fire" (Lev.10:1-2). It was rejected. It was fire from "another" source.
not from the Brazen Altar (Note: 2Cor.11:1-7). Our prayerful worship and praise must have
it's foundation in the atonement of Christ. (Review: Phase 4, Page 3 / Brazen Altar. Every "jot" [55]
and title) [56] of thisblueprint / ensample / type / is a shadow of "heaven itself" (Heb.8:1-5; 9:1-29;
10:1-25) to teach us (Rom.15:4, 2Tim.3:16-17) how to "behave (in our prayer and worship
1Cor.14:40, 1Tim.3:15 / Eccl.3:1) ourselves in the House of God" in heavenly places.
Nadab and Abihu exalted themselves[5] to the office of high priest (Exod.30:7-8, Lev.10:1-2;
16:1-2 / Heb.9:7). Even though they were of the seed of Aaron, he was the one and only
high priest as long as he lived[4](Heb.7:23). Jesus fulfills this office of High Priest! He
"continueth ever" (Heb.7:24, Matt.5:17-19 "unchangeable!"). There is no other High
Priest[22], nor will there be (Heb.6:20; 7:1-28). Not only did Nadab and Abihu usurp Aaron's
God-given appointment (Exod.28:1, Heb.5:1-4), they replaced the true fire with "another"
fire (2Cor.11:1-4, 13-15, Lev.10:1-2). They "invented" their own fire to produce their own [7]
cloud of incense / worship that was "like" the real (Isa.14:11-14, Note: Amos.6:5 [6]).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The reality of this can already be seen in parts of the Church world today
(1John.2:18-19; 1John.4:3-4, 2Thes.2:7) in worship with singing, wind, percussion and stringed
instruments. We can fall into producing our own counterfeit cloud of incense if we come with
own "righteousnesses...(our own burning coals[3] which)...are as filthy rages"[4](Isa.64:6).
2. They were "burning coals" (active, alive, not just a form)
Without the "burning coals" (lit by the Sovereign hand of God (Lev.6:12; 9:24) there can
be no true cloud that ascends up for God to appear in (Lev.16:1-2). The blueprint (pattern) of
"heaven itself" (Heb.9:23) is revealing that without the atonement blood of Christ, our singing
accompanied by the wind, percussion and stringed instruments cannot be received. (Note:
Heb.13:15). It is "By Him (the Brazen Altar[35] with the burning coals) therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise..." (Note: John.14:6).
D. The ingredients that made up the true Incense
Take..."sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure
frankincense: of each shall there be a like (balanced) weight" (Exod.30:34). They were to make
"it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy...
beat some of it very small...it shall be unto you most holy" (Exod.30:34-38).
1. Cut off if they made a counterfeit [44]incense
As "for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to
the composition thereof:it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord. Whosoever shall make like
unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people" (Exod.30:34-38).
2. Watch out for the "like"(Counterfeit) Note: Isa.14:11-14, 2Thes.2:4
Jesus warned about this (Matt.24:5, 23). Paul (Gal.11-12) warned about this (2Cor.11:1-15).
Peter warned about this (2Peter.2:1-22; 3;1-16). Jude warned about this (Jude.1:1-13). John
warned about this (1John.2:18-19, 26-27). Note: Do not assume that when someone
says "thus saith the Lord, "they have the anointing of the Spirit of
God (Ezekiel.13:1-3, Jer.7:1-16). It is possibleto speak outof their
own hearts when saying "thus saith the Lord", when the Lord says
"I have not spoken" (Ezek.13:1-7)? It is possible to say "thus
saith the Lord" but follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing
(Ezek.13:17)! It is possible to say "thus saith the Lord" using
"vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord
hath not sent them..."
Note: Our Prayer and Worship (Incense / Cloud) must be offered in
the reality of the "perfume, a confection after the art of the apothe-
cary, tempered together, pure and holy...beat some of it very small...
it shall be unto you most holy" (Exod.30:34-38). WHY? Because it is
a pattern of heaven itself (Heb.8:1-5; 9:1-28/Note:.v.24; 10:1-25).
3. What is "watching and praying" as we worship?
a. Watching is your understanding in God's written Word.
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of
his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph.1:18, Matt.
13:15, Luke.24:16,15-36, 2Cor.3:13-16, Eph.4:18, 2Peter.1:9). For "every one that useth milk is
unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them
that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil" (Heb.5:14).
b. We can spiritually hear
Jesus said, "In them (the children of the flesh of Abraham Rom.9:7-8) is fulfilled the
prophecy of Esaias, (Isaiah / Isa.6:9) which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not
understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed
gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time
they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their
heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they
see: and your ears, for they hear" (Matt.13:10-17, John.10:27, Rom.10:1 Rev.2:7, 11, 17,29;
3:6,13,22).
c. We can spiritually taste
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him
(Psa.34:8 / 1Pet.2:3, Isa.119:103, Luke.9:27,; 14:24, Col.2:21).
d. We can spiritually smell / Discernment
The first mention of smelling offerings is when "Noah builded an altar...and offered burnt
offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart,
I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart
is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done
(Gen.8:20-22). God discerned / smelled. Note: These other examples (Lev.1:9: 2:2;, 9, 12;
26:31, Amos.5:21, Eph.5:1-2 / 2Cor.2:14-15 / Exod.5:21, Phil.4:18, 1Cor.12:17).
(1) When something does not "smell" right... (Exod.30:38)
Then go to the written Word to Prove it in the mouth of two or three witnesses
(Gen.41:32, Deut.17:6; 19:15, Eccl.4:12, 2Cor.13:1). Note: Josh.9:1-14, V.14. We must ask
counsel at the mouth of the Lord. This is watching (Eph.1:18) and praying / worshipping
by proving (i.e. seeing spiritually) that the burning coals are from the Altar of Incense,
and the ingredients are correct (Exod.30:37-38). For it is "by Him" (Heb.13:15,
1Peter.2:5) that we offer, because we are in Him (2Cor.5:17).
(2) The example of Isaac (Gen.27:1-29)
"And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, (faint, dull, weak)
so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son" (Gen.27:1-4) to bless him before
he died. This would set a direction for the rest of their life (Gen.27:28-29).
However Isaac knew there was something wrong. (something did not smell right)
He said to Jacob (who was counterfeiting Esau) How is it that thou hast found it so
quickly (Gen.27:18, 20)?
(a) The voice (hearing) is like the voice of Jacob (v.22)but Isaac discerned him not!(v.23)
(b) Jacob felt just like Esau.
(c) Jacob's venison tasted just like Esau's.
(d) Jacob smelled just like Esau.
Note: If Isaac's eyes were not dim, all his senses would have made sense.
e. We can spiritually feel (bearing witness, being uncomfortable)
"That they should seek the Lord, if haply [46] they might feel (i.e. verify by contact; figuratively,
to search for:—feel after, handle, touch) [45] after him" (Acts.17:27). We cannot handle Him
naturally (1Cor.2:14, 2Cor.4:18, Matt.16:17, John.20:24-29), however we can spiritually because
we are seated together with Christ in heaven at the Father's right hand (Eph.2:6, Rom.8:13-16,
1John.2:26-27, 1Cor.2:11-12).
E. Each saint has responsibility the smell of the incense
It is our individual responsibility as Priests [48] to "Prove (allow, discern, examine, like, (ap-)prove,
try [41] (1Thes.5:21) all things; hold fast that which is good." John said,"believe not every spirit, but
try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world"
(1John.4:1).
1. Responsible to prove / try the spirits (i.e. cloud of the incense / smell)
a. By the written Word of God (Bible Language)
The Berean's were more noble (high in rank / princess Prov.25:2, 1Pet.2:5-9) [43] than
those in Thessalonica [42], in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts.17:11).
b. By knowing them that labour among you(1Thes.5:12-13, Heb.13:7,17)
We beseech you, brethren, to know (try the spirits of) them which labour[50]among
you, (in music / worshipas the Levities did during king David's time) and are over you in
the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake"
(1Thes.5:11-12, Heb.13:7, 17, John.14:11, Matt.3:5-9). There cannot be one without the other.
(1) The focus is onyou (The congregation) to fulfill our responsibilities as foreshadowed
(Heb.10:1) by the Levitical Priesthood "as...an holy priesthood" (1Peter.2:5, Matt.5:17-19 /
Col.1:18, Rom.3:21-31) to read, (Deut.31:11) teach (Deut.31:12, 2Chron.15:3; 34:14-21) and
guard God's Word, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."[42]
(2) Labor (Work hard) [50]. Are they labouring (laboring / watching) in the Word and
doctrine and prayer (Acts.6:2)? Are they laboring as oxen[51] (1Cor.9:9)? Are they laboring
as the Priests did at the Altar[52] (1Cor.9:1-14), knowing which offering to offer
and which one is compulsory and which one's are voluntary? Are they labouring (i.e.
ministering about the holy things of the Temple[53] (Neh.7:62-64)?
(3) Among you. The focus (center of attention, hub, pivot, heart, cornerstone) of those that
labor (Leaders in Worship) should be after the pattern of the Levities who were to
minister (serve) unto God in the Tabernacle "continually", keeping the charge of the
Tabernacle. (Note: Levi was set in the center, among the church in the wilderness.
Num.1-4) They had no inheritance in the Land, God was their reward (Num.18:20).
NOTE: Why are we studying the Priests and the Levities? It is because when King
David became king, he placed the Levities in charge of the music and worship
(1Chron.23:25-26; 28:11-19, Note.v.19). "All this, said David, the Lord made me
understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. The
Levities responsibilities now were expanding.
(4) For their works sake (Cannot say one thing and live another). It takes time for the
fruit to grow (Matt.7:16-17/ Note: Acts.16:16-18).
F. Offer no strange incense on Altar of Incense
"Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn
incense upon it...Ye (you) shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat
offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon" (Exod.30:9).
1. No strange incense (Review: This page. C. 1, 2)
Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu brought "strange"[2] fire (Lev.10:1-2) and it was rejected. It was
fire from "another" source. Notfrom the Brazen Altar. (Note: 2Cor.11:1-7) Now the pattern (Blue
Print) calls for NO STRANGE INCENSE!
(a) The thought of the "strange(r)" (a foreigner, strange, profane)
When God delivered Israel out of the bondage of Egypt to bring them into the Land
promised to Abraham, the strangerwas not included unless they were circumcised and
kept the Passover (Exod.12:1-14, 43-51). The apostle Paul (as a wise master builder 1Cor.3:10,
Gal.1:11-12) uses this "ensample" (type / shadow) to the Ephesian Church. "Remember, that ye
being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, (Eph.2:1-3)...called Uncircumcision...that at that time ye
were without Christ, being aliens (in Egypt / Sin) from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers [2] from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus (have been circumcised Rom.2:28-29, Col.2:11-12) and kept the Passover
Exod.12:48)...are made nigh by the blood of Christ (Exod.12:7,13, 1Cor.5:7-8).
We cannot bring anything from Egypt on our journey (Note: Moses Acts.7:22 / 1Cor.2:1-14)
No strange / counterfeit incense (Exod.30:34-38). This would be "another Jesus"
(2Cor.11:4). Note: How can we sing the Lord's song ( i.e. offer up our prayerful worship /
incense) (Psa.141;2, Rev.8:3) "in a strange land"[87] (Psa.137:4)?
G. No burnt sacrifice / offering on the Altar of incense
"Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall
burn incense upon it...Ye (you) shall offer no...burnt sacrifice" (Exod.30:9). Theburnt offering
has it's reality / fulfillment in the presenting of our bodies a living (voluntary) sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God (Rom.12:1-2). This Altar of Incense was for offering up the incense / cloud
pointing to our worship / praise / prayer. The Burnt Offering foreshadow our consecration /
separation unto the Lord beyond being saved (The Sin Offering).
Note: Our Prayerful Worship with singing and instruments does not sanctify or consecrate us
unto the Lord. The Sin, Trespass and burnt offering foreshadows this on the Brazen Altar. "As the
fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise" (Prov.27:21).
H. No meat / meal / food offering on the Altar of incense
"Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he
shall burn incense upon it...Ye (you) shall offer no...meat offering (bloodless and voluntary)[88]
(Exod.30:9). Under the Old Covenant there was no blood sacrifice with this offering (Lev.2:1-2)
because It has nothing to do with atonement for sin, our trespasses or our consecration
unto the Lord (Lev.2:1-2; 9:4,17; 14:10, 20, 31. Lev.25:6, Num.6:13-21, 1Kings8:4, Neh.10:33, Joel.2:14,
Mal.3:10). It was of the "fruit of the ground," (our own efforts / good works) . It was a voluntary
(Num.29:39) "Meat" (i.e. food) [88] offering made of fine flour. Even though it was not a blood
sacrifice, it had to be offered on the Brazen Altar (Lev.2:2) and totally consumed with fire for a
sweets melling savor (Lev.2:2), It should also be noted that, there was no leaven allowed in this
offering (Lev.2:11).
Note: Our prayerful worship and praise cannot have our own efforts, good work, best intentions.
Our prayerful worship and praise is being thankful, coming from a heart of thanksgiving.
I. No drink offering on the Altar of incense
"Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn
incense upon it...Ye (you) shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat
offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon" (Exod.30:9).
A. The "drink" offering
The "drink offering" was the flour, oil and wine offered with the Burnt Offering
(Exod.29:38-41). Paul spoke of being offered as a "drink offering" (apparently a primary verb; to
pour out as a libation, i.e. figuratively, to devote one's life or blood, as a sacrifice, ("spend")
Strong's NT#4689 (2Tim.4:6).
B. There were other offering offered in the five Offerings
These "heave" offerings, "wave offerings" (Exod.29:23-28) and "drink offerings" where always
used with these five Levitical Offerings (Exod.29:18, 26-28, 38-41).
1. The "heave" offering
The "Heave Offering"- (a present [as offered up] especially in sacrifice or tribute) The "heave
offering was the shoulder portion of the burnt offering of consecration for Aaron (Exod.29:26).
2. The "wave" offering
The "Wave Offering"- (To quiver, vibrate up and down - Strong's) The "wave offering" was the
breasts of the sacrifice. It was offered with the burnt offering that consecrated Aaron,
the high priest (Exod.29:18, 26). It was offered with the Peace offering (Lev.7:28-34). It
was offered with the trespass offering (Lev.14:12).
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