Tabernacle -Altar Of Incense(Prayer) Series

I. The Altar of Incense: The Symbol of the Prayers and Communion of God’s People Ascending to God, 30:1-10

(Ex.30:1-10) God answers prayer. When we face severe problems, trouble, or crises, God answers prayer. When we face terrible trial or temptation, God answers prayer. When we face sickness, disease, or accident, God answers prayer. When we face pain, suffering, terminal illness, or death, God answers prayer. When we face the difficult times of life—if we pray, cry out to God from the depths of our heart—God hears and answers our prayers. When we need comfort, guidance, assurance, security, companionship, friendship—God hears and answers our prayers. He meets our need always. This is the significance and purpose of the Altar of Incense. The Altar was used to offer up the most pleasing and acceptable aroma that can be imagined. This symbolized the pleasure and acceptance of God, that He was pleased with the aroma and accepted the offering being made. What was the offering? Prayer, the prayers of His dear people. The Altar of Incense symbolized the prayers of God’s dear people ascending up to God. This is the subject of this important portion of Scripture: The Altar of Incense: The Symbol of the Prayers and Communion of God’s People Ascending to God, Exodus 30:1-10 1. The design and materials of the altar (v.1-6).

2. The purpose of the altar (v.7-8).

3. The holiness of the altar (v.9-10).

1. (Ex.30:1-6) Tabernacle of Moses— Altar of Incense— Prayer— Intercession: there was the design and the materials of the Altar of Incense. The incense on the altar was to burn continuously, symbolizing two significant things:

the unbroken intercession of Jesus Christ for us

the prayers and communion of God’s people ascending to God

Note again: God Himself is the One who designed this altar. The altar was to be made like every other piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, made according to God’s perfect plan and design. These are the details for its construction:

1.The Altar of Incense was to be made of acacia wood (Exodus 30:1).

1.Pray in the name of Jesus Christ

I have sometimes thought of this little piece of furniture standing before the veil as an electric plug such as we use to tap the electric power laid behind our walls. Behind the veil of the tabernacle was the Shekinah Glory of the presence of the Lord, and behind the veil of the sky are all the resources of the great triune God. By putting in the plug of prayer with the hand of faith, we are able to tap those resources and find that “prayer changes things.” Great things happen at the hour of prayer when incense is being offered.

We have already noted the quality of acacia wood and how it speaks of incorruptibility, the incorruption and perfection of Jesus Christ (see note—Exodus 25:5). Jesus Christ is the One who intercedes for us, who stands between God and us and makes us acceptable to God. The intercession of Christ is not corrupt in any way; His intercession is perfect. He makes us acceptable to God.

The Altar of Incense was to be square: 18 inches by 18 inches by 3 feet high (Exodus 30:2).

2. Pray according to the word of God (Jesus in Gethsemane)

The Altar of Incense was to have horns on each corner, carved from the same piece of wood (Exodus 30:2). Horns are symbolic of God’s power and strength, God’s salvation, protection, security, sanctuary, and help.

The Altar of Incense reminds us that God has the power and strength to deliver us through all trials, no matter how terrible.

The Altar of Incense was to be overlaid with gold and have a gold molding (Exodus 30:3).

3. Pray with Faith – it is very easy to believe in God. He never fails. He do not make mistake. Canaanite woman came to Jesus and said your church folks do not want any blessing they are throwing id down under the table let me have it. (great faith)

Just like the other holy pieces of furniture in the sanctuary, the altar was covered with pure gold. The most precious of metals was God’s choice for building this altar of intercession. Remember, gold is a symbol of deity, a symbol of the most precious possession, God Himself. The golden Altar of Incense points to the LORD Jesus Christ...

Who is the most precious possession a person can have

Who is the Perfect Intercessor, the One who lives forever to make intercession, to passionately pray for the people of God

The purpose for the gold molding was to keep the burning coals from falling off the altar and burning out on the desert floor. What was the origin of the fire that was kept in the altar? The live coals came from the altar of burnt offerings, the altar which symbolized the need for atonement with God. No effectual prayers can be offered to God unless a sacrifice has been offered to satisfy the righteous and just nature of a holy God. As the priests ministered at the Altar of Incense, the gold molding and hot coals reminded them of several things: