2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries Wenstrom Bible Ministries Marion, Iowa Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom .

2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries

Wenstrom Bible MinistriesWenstrom Bible Ministries

Marion, IowaMarion, Iowa

Pastor-Teacher Bill WenstromPastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom

www.wenstrom.orgwww.wenstrom.org

http://www.wenstrom.org/


Sunday June 24, 2012Sunday June 24, 2012

Journey Through The Bible Series: Exodus 30:1-Journey Through The Bible Series: Exodus 30:1-10-The Lord Gives Moses Instructions 10-The Lord Gives Moses Instructions

Concerning The Construction And Use Of The Concerning The Construction And Use Of The Altar Of IncenseAltar Of Incense

Lesson # 41Lesson # 41


Please turn in your Bibles to Exodus 30:1.Please turn in your Bibles to Exodus 30:1.


This morning we will study Exodus 30:1-10, which This morning we will study Exodus 30:1-10, which records the Lord giving Moses instructions records the Lord giving Moses instructions

concerning the construction and use of the altar of concerning the construction and use of the altar of incense.incense.



The priests would burn incense on the altar of The priests would burn incense on the altar of incense and the fragrant aroma which ascended incense and the fragrant aroma which ascended

from the altar symbolized prayer or in other words from the altar symbolized prayer or in other words it portrayed the prayers of the entire nation of it portrayed the prayers of the entire nation of

Israel. Israel.



Exodus 30:1 “Moreover, you shall make an altar Exodus 30:1 “Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 Its length shall be a cubit, and of acacia wood. 2 Its length shall be a cubit, and

its width a cubit, it shall be square, and its height its width a cubit, it shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits; its horns shall be of one piece shall be two cubits; its horns shall be of one piece

with it. with it.


3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and you shall its sides all around, and its horns; and you shall

make a gold molding all around for it. 4 You make a gold molding all around for it. 4 You shall make two gold rings for it under its shall make two gold rings for it under its

molding; you shall make them on its two side molding; you shall make them on its two side walls—on opposite sides—and they shall be walls—on opposite sides—and they shall be

holders for poles with which to carry it. holders for poles with which to carry it.


5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 You shall put this overlay them with gold. 6 You shall put this

altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet

with you. with you.


7 Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he 7 Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the shall burn it every morning when he trims the

lamps. 8 When Aaron trims the lamps at lamps. 8 When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout perpetual incense before the Lord throughout

your generations. your generations.


9 You shall not offer any strange incense on this 9 You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and

you shall not pour out a drink offering on it. 10 you shall not pour out a drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a

year; he shall make atonement on it with the year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most year throughout your generations. It is most

holy to the Lord.” (NASB95)holy to the Lord.” (NASB95)


Verses 1-6 contain instructions regarding the Verses 1-6 contain instructions regarding the construction of the altar of incense whereas verses construction of the altar of incense whereas verses 7-10 contain instructions regarding the proper use 7-10 contain instructions regarding the proper use

of this incense altar.of this incense altar.


The first six verses reveal that the altar of incense The first six verses reveal that the altar of incense was smaller than the bronze sacrifice altar or altar was smaller than the bronze sacrifice altar or altar

of burnt offering since it was eighteen inches of burnt offering since it was eighteen inches square and thirty-six inches high. square and thirty-six inches high.


Like the ark (25:10-20) and in particular like the Like the ark (25:10-20) and in particular like the table of showbread (25:23-28), the altar of incense table of showbread (25:23-28), the altar of incense

was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.


However, like the bronze altar of burnt offering However, like the bronze altar of burnt offering (27:1-8), it had horns that extended upward from its (27:1-8), it had horns that extended upward from its

top. top.


The altar of incense had a decorative molding of The altar of incense had a decorative molding of gold around the edge of its top, which would keep gold around the edge of its top, which would keep the incense on the surface of the table preventing it the incense on the surface of the table preventing it

from sliding off. from sliding off.


Like the altar of burnt offering and the table of the Like the altar of burnt offering and the table of the showbread and the Ark of the Covenant, the showbread and the Ark of the Covenant, the

incense altar also had gold rings through poles of incense altar also had gold rings through poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold, which could be acacia wood overlaid with gold, which could be

inserted to carry it. inserted to carry it.


The altar of incense or incense altar stood in the The altar of incense or incense altar stood in the holy place and specifically in front of the veil holy place and specifically in front of the veil

which separated the most holy place that contained which separated the most holy place that contained the ark from the holy place, which contained the the ark from the holy place, which contained the

lampstand and table of showbread.lampstand and table of showbread.


The Lord does not give Moses specific directions as The Lord does not give Moses specific directions as to the placement of table of showbread or the to the placement of table of showbread or the

golden lampstand. golden lampstand.


In Exodus 30:6, the Lord instructs Moses that he is In Exodus 30:6, the Lord instructs Moses that he is to put this incense altar in front of this veil that is to put this incense altar in front of this veil that is before the Ark of the testimony, which suggests before the Ark of the testimony, which suggests

that it was front and center directly before the veil that it was front and center directly before the veil or in the middle between the table and the or in the middle between the table and the

lampstand.lampstand.


The location of the incense altar has been a cause The location of the incense altar has been a cause for confusion among some expositors since for confusion among some expositors since

Hebrews 9:4 appears to describe its location as Hebrews 9:4 appears to describe its location as being in the holy of holies or most holy place rather being in the holy of holies or most holy place rather than the holy place where the lampstand and table than the holy place where the lampstand and table

of showbread resided. of showbread resided.


However, Exodus 30:6, 40:3-5, 21-27 explicitly However, Exodus 30:6, 40:3-5, 21-27 explicitly state that it was located with the golden lampstand state that it was located with the golden lampstand

and table of showbread. and table of showbread.


Hebrews 9:3 Behind the second veil there was a Hebrews 9:3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in

which was a golden jar holding the manna, and which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the

covenant. (NASB95)covenant. (NASB95)


The reason Hebrews 9:3-4 describes the incense The reason Hebrews 9:3-4 describes the incense altar as being located in the holy of holies is that altar as being located in the holy of holies is that

there was an intimate association between the altar there was an intimate association between the altar of incense and the Ark of the Covenant because the of incense and the Ark of the Covenant because the smoke of the incense burned penetrated the veil and smoke of the incense burned penetrated the veil and permeated the holy of holies as it ascended before permeated the holy of holies as it ascended before

the ark. the ark.


Therefore, the writer of Hebrews to reflect this Therefore, the writer of Hebrews to reflect this intimate association tied together the altar of intimate association tied together the altar of

incense and the ark by using the same participle incense and the ark by using the same participle ἒχωἒχω, which the NASB95 renders “, which the NASB95 renders “havinghaving.”.”


The offering of incense on the altar of incense The offering of incense on the altar of incense coincided with the morning and evening sacrifices, coincided with the morning and evening sacrifices,

which are described in Exodus 29:38-42. which are described in Exodus 29:38-42.


Thus, it took place when the high priest was Thus, it took place when the high priest was tending to the seven lamps on the lampstand which tending to the seven lamps on the lampstand which

are mentioned in Exodus 25:31-39. are mentioned in Exodus 25:31-39.


He would put out these lamps in the morning and He would put out these lamps in the morning and prepare them for lighting again once by the evening prepare them for lighting again once by the evening

time. time.


The spacing of these offerings with one in the The spacing of these offerings with one in the morning and one before sundown was intended to morning and one before sundown was intended to

teach Israel that they were to pray “night” and teach Israel that they were to pray “night” and “day” or in other words during the course of their “day” or in other words during the course of their

day.day.


The Lord warns Moses in Exodus 30:9 that this The Lord warns Moses in Exodus 30:9 that this altar of incense is to be used for nothing but altar of incense is to be used for nothing but

burning incense. burning incense.


He was not to use any incense but that which He He was not to use any incense but that which He prescribes to use. prescribes to use.


There were to be no burnt offerings on this altar nor There were to be no burnt offerings on this altar nor meal offering and nor was drink offerings to be meal offering and nor was drink offerings to be

poured out on it at any time. poured out on it at any time.


In Exodus 30:10, the Lord instructs Moses to make In Exodus 30:10, the Lord instructs Moses to make atonement on the horns of the incense altar once a atonement on the horns of the incense altar once a year on the Day of Atonement with some of the year on the Day of Atonement with some of the

blood of the offering for atonement, which was to blood of the offering for atonement, which was to be a perpetual statute. be a perpetual statute.


In Exodus 29:1, we saw that the horns of the altar In Exodus 29:1, we saw that the horns of the altar of burnt offering were to be dabbed with blood at of burnt offering were to be dabbed with blood at

the consecration of the priests (Exodus 29:1, 10-12; the consecration of the priests (Exodus 29:1, 10-12; Leviticus 8:14-15; 9:9).Leviticus 8:14-15; 9:9).


Like the horns on the altar of burnt offering, the Like the horns on the altar of burnt offering, the horns of the incense altar were protrusions, which horns of the incense altar were protrusions, which

curved upward from the flat plane of the main curved upward from the flat plane of the main surface of the altar. surface of the altar.


This contributed in holding anything on the altar This contributed in holding anything on the altar from falling over the edge. from falling over the edge.


The horns on both altars portray God’s power since The horns on both altars portray God’s power since the horns of an animal signified its power.the horns of an animal signified its power.


In Exodus 30:10, the Lord describes the altar of In Exodus 30:10, the Lord describes the altar of incense as “most holy to the Lord” rather than the incense as “most holy to the Lord” rather than the process of purifying the altar annually since the process of purifying the altar annually since the

process was the means to making and keeping the process was the means to making and keeping the altar “most holy,” i.e. belonging to God and fit for altar “most holy,” i.e. belonging to God and fit for

the use which He prescribed for it. the use which He prescribed for it.


The connection between incense and prayer is The connection between incense and prayer is alluded to in various passages of Scripture. alluded to in various passages of Scripture.


First of all, in Psalm 141:2, the Psalmist makes a First of all, in Psalm 141:2, the Psalmist makes a request of God that his prayer be regarded as request of God that his prayer be regarded as

incense before Him. incense before Him.


In Luke 1:10, the angel Gabriel went to inform In Luke 1:10, the angel Gabriel went to inform Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth would Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth would

have a child in their old age. have a child in their old age.


He appeared standing to the right of the altar of He appeared standing to the right of the altar of incense while Zacharias was performing his duties incense while Zacharias was performing his duties in the holy place meanwhile the whole multitude of in the holy place meanwhile the whole multitude of the Israelites were outside in prayer at the hour of the Israelites were outside in prayer at the hour of

the incense offering. the incense offering.


In Revelation 5:8, the Lord Jesus Christ received In Revelation 5:8, the Lord Jesus Christ received the title deed to the earth from the Father and when the title deed to the earth from the Father and when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which were said to be the prayers of the incense, which were said to be the prayers of the

saints. saints.


Then, in Revelation 8:3, when the Lord Jesus Christ Then, in Revelation 8:3, when the Lord Jesus Christ broke the seventh seal toward the end of the last broke the seventh seal toward the end of the last

three and a half years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week three and a half years of Daniel’s Seventieth Week an angel came and stood at the altar, holding a an angel came and stood at the altar, holding a

golden censer and much incense was given to him. golden censer and much incense was given to him.


The purpose of this was so that he might add it to The purpose of this was so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar

which was before the throne. which was before the throne.


Revelation 8:4 says that the smoke of the incense Revelation 8:4 says that the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints, went up before God with the prayers of the saints, went up before God

out of the angel’s hand. out of the angel’s hand.


Now, Hebrews 8:2-5 and 9:24 make clear that the Now, Hebrews 8:2-5 and 9:24 make clear that the earthly tabernacle in Israel reflected God’s earthly tabernacle in Israel reflected God’s

heavenly tabernacle. heavenly tabernacle.


Therefore, it is assumed that the Israelites were Therefore, it is assumed that the Israelites were aware of the fact that the incense altar’s purpose aware of the fact that the incense altar’s purpose was to symbolize the prayers of the Israelites as was to symbolize the prayers of the Israelites as they were made during the course of the day. they were made during the course of the day.


Furthermore, the perpetual burning of incense was Furthermore, the perpetual burning of incense was teaching the Israelites their need to pray at all times teaching the Israelites their need to pray at all times

during the course of their day.during the course of their day.


1 Thessalonians 5:17 Make it your habit to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Make it your habit to pray. (My translation)(My translation)


Aaron as well as the Israelites were conscious of Aaron as well as the Israelites were conscious of the fact that Aaron represented the people through the fact that Aaron represented the people through his actions while serving in the tabernacle, thus his his actions while serving in the tabernacle, thus his offering of incense was a means of symbolizing the offering of incense was a means of symbolizing the

prayers of the Israelites.prayers of the Israelites.


2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries Wenstrom Bible Ministries Marion, Iowa Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom .

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