The Tabernacle: Altar of Incense

“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God.” Revelation 8:4 KJV

Have you ever smelled something really nasty and wanted to get that smell out of your nose as quickly as possible? I spend a lot of time in rural Iowa and am very familiar with the sweet aroma of hog manure. In Iowa we say, “That’s the smell of money.” But I don’t like the fragrance sticking to my clothes so that I always smell that way. Walking into the kitchen and smelling a fresh baked pie is a pleasant change.

The priests who came into the tabernacle had just been in the outer court where animals were constantly being slaughtered. The smell of death is unpleasant. In the tabernacle there was an altar of incense that refreshed the senses of the priests. But that wasn’t the real purpose for the altar. It was placed right in front of the second area of the tabernacle, the holy of holies. This veiled off area was where the shekinah glory of God dwelt. The incense altar in front of the veil pictures a place to offer up praise and prayer to God. 

Our prayers are still a fragrant aroma to God. They are the incense offering that we make to Him. As the incense was to be constantly refreshed we are to constantly be in communication with God. It is pleasing to Him to hear the prayers and praise of His children.

Dear Father, Thank You for hearing us when we pray and for loving to hear us pray. Amen. 

The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

You can contact me and find inspiring Christian books at my website: www.davidccraig.net

You may also find some of my selected daily devotions at http://blog.febc.org/

You may also enjoy the Gospel dog blog, “The Gospel According to Molly”, and the Alzheimer’s blog, “Taking Care of Joe” both found on my website.