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Chapter 103

 

The Other Altar

 

ÒAnd thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make itÉAnd Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORDÉAnd 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.Ó

(Exodus 30:1-38)

 

In the 27th chapter of Exodus, we saw Christ our Altar magnificently represented in the great brazen altar that stood at the forefront of the tabernacle in the wilderness and at the forefront of all the ceremonial worship of the typical, Mosaic Age. How we thank God for our Altar, the one and only Altar, by which sinners can come to God, Christ Jesus! — ÒWe have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacleÓ (Hebrews 13:10). The brazen altar of sacrifice typified our blessed Lord Jesus, the sin-atoning Sacrifice, by whose blood we draw near to God.

 

            But one altar alone was not sufficient to portray the work by which sinners are brought to God and find acceptance with him in Christ Jesus. So, the Lord God ordered that another altar be made to represent our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, and our access to God by him. We read about the other altar in this chapter. This chapter speaks of five things in the tabernacle.

 

1.    The Altar of Incense (vv. 1-10)

2.    Atonement Money (vv. 11-16)

3.    Laver of Brass (vv. 17-21)

4.    The Anointing Oil (vv. 22-33)

5.    The Incense (vv. 34-38)

 

      The tabernacle in the wilderness, along with the priesthood, all the sacrifices, all the ceremonies and all the furnishings of the tabernacle, were designed to typify our Lord Jesus, our salvation by him and in him, and our worship of God in him. When the worshipping Israelite came to worship God, he could do so only in the way God prescribed. So it is with sinners today. If we worship God, we must worship him in the way he requires.

 

      In the days of the tabernacle the sinner had to be typically redeemed. He must first be accepted by a sin-atoning sacrifice offered upon and consumed by the fire of the brazen altar. The sacrifice had to be killed and offered by GodÕs priest in the way God prescribed. Then, the sinner, for whom atonement was made, had to be typically regenerated. He must wash in the laver of brass before the tabernacle. And the redeemed, regenerate sinner must be typically represented in the court of the tabernacle by GodÕs priest. As GodÕs priest went about the business of the holy place, we see the blood-bought, regenerate soul walking in the light of the golden candlestick (Christ our Light), feeding upon the bread of God upon the table of showbread (Christ our Bread — Spread upon the Gospel Table), perpetually accepted by the perpetual merit of ChristÕs shed blood, Christ our Passover sacrificed for us, who is our great High Priest and Advocate represented in the golden altar of incense before the tabernacle veil.

 

ItsÕ Purpose

 

ÒAnd thou shalt make an altar to burn incense uponÓ (v. 1). — The altar of incense is not to be confused with the altar of burnt offering. No sacrifice was ever offered upon this altar. Nothing but incense was to be put upon its ever-burning coals. The sacrifice was made outside, at the door of entrance. The incense of this blood-sprinkled altar speaks of the efficacious merit of ChristÕs sin-atoning blood ascending up unto God, by which we have unceasing access to and acceptance with God on his throne (Hebrews 10:17-22).

 

            Christ is our constant, all-prevailing advocate on high (1 John 2:1-2). It is through his precious name that we make our requests known unto God. — ÒIf ye ask anything in my name, I will do itÓ (John 14:14). — ÒHis name is as ointment poured forthÓ (Song of Solomon 1:3). By him we and our works and our prayers and our praise are accepted of God (1 Peter 2:5).

 

ItsÕ Materials

 

This altar was made of incorruptible shittim wood (v. 1) overlaid with gold (v. 3) and had a crown of gold. There was a horn on each corner and a golden crown on top. It had four golden rings under the crown for the two staves by which it was to be carried. It occupied a position in the holy place directly in front of the veil. Burning coals were placed upon it and sweet incense was put upon the coals morning and evening. Fragrant white smoke ascended from it continually.

 

            Like the great brazen altar outside, this altar of incense was also made of two different materials: — Not wood and brass, but wood and gold. Here, again, we see both the divinity and the humanity of Christ typified. In the brazen altar the wood was strengthened by the brass. In the altar of incense the wood (human nature) is glorified by the gold.

 

            Gold was united with wood; and Christ is the corresponding wonder. He who is equal to God in the GodheadÕs greatness is one with man in humanityÕs low state. He who rightfully sits upon JehovahÕs throne willingly wears the rags of humanity. Such is the Savior we have. Such is the Savior we need! More cannot be needed. Less would be nothing.

 

            He who was crucified in weakness has been raised in glory. He who was the ÒMan of SorrowsÓ is now the Man in Glory. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh. Now that likeness, that body, our nature (our flesh) has been glorified in him. What an encouragement to prayer and faith and worship! Ever remember that the Lord of glory is still truly human! — ÒConsider himÓ (Hebrews 12. 3).

 

ÒA Man there is, a real Man,

With wounds still gaping wide,

From which rich streams of blood once ran,

In hands, and feet and side.

 

ÔTis no wild fancy of our brains,

No metaphor we speak;

The same dear Man in heaven now reigns,

Who suffered for our sake.

 

This wondrous Man of whom we tell,

Is true Almighty God;

He bought our souls from death and hell; —

The price, — His own heartÕs blood.

 

That human heart He still retains,

Though throned in highest bliss;

And feels each tempted memberÕs pains;

For our afflictionÕs His.

 

Come, then, repenting sinner, come;

Approach with humble faith;

Owe what you may, the total sum

Is cancelled by His death!

 

His blood can cleanse the blackest soul,

And wash our guilt away;

He will present us sound and whole

In that tremendous day!Ó

                                                                                                            — Joseph Hart

 

            The altar of incense was much smaller than the one Ezekiel saw in his vision of this Gospel Day (Ezekiel 41:22), because all things in the carnal worship of the legal dispensation were but Òa shadow of good things to comeÓ (Hebrews 10:1) in this day when all worship is spiritual. — ÒGod is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truthÓ (John 4:24).

 

ÒFor from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Ó (Malachi 1:11) 

 

ItsÕ Position

 

ÒAnd thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with theeÓ (v. 6). — The altar of incense stood within the door, in the center of the holy place, in a straight line with the brazen altar, the laver of brass, and the ark of the covenant and the mercy-seat. Those vessels which stood in line with the great altar and the mercy-seat indicate the provision made for us to come to God by the blood of Christ, the new and living way. The mercy-seat represented the throne of God. The altar of incense stood before it. This is exactly the position of it as John saw it spiritually in Revelation 8:3-4. The whole thing points to Christ, our Great High Priest, the Angel of the Lord, who is before the throne making intercession for us.

 

ÒAnd another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angelÕs hand.Ó (Revelation 8:3-4)

 

            Our Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, not only prays for us, he takes our prayers and presents them with the incense of his infinite merit before the FatherÕs throne. He takes our prayers and presents them before God in the fragrance of his high priestly character and on the basis of his perfect sacrifice.

 

ÒSeeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Ó (Hebrews 4:14-16)

 

ItsÕ Height

 

This Golden Altar of Incense was Òtwo cubitsÓ high (v. 2). That little bit of information tells us that it was half a cubit higher than the other vessels in the tabernacle. — ÒWhy?Ó

 

            He who humbled himself unto death has now been Òhighly exalted.Ó God raised him from the dead and set him Òfar above allÓ (Ephesians 1:20-21). He is now Head over all to his church. In the estimate of God, the merit of his SonÕs death is far above all. ChristÕs precious blood exceeds everything! Praise his name! You and I may not be able to appreciate the full value of the SaviorÕs death, but God can, and God does! He saves his people according to his own high estimate of the worth of ChristÕs atoning work. He can and will bless us according to his own high estimate of the worth of ChristÕs atoning work.

 

ItsÕ Staves

 

The staves or poles (vv. 4-5) by which the altar of incense was to be carried were not to be removed. They were always present with the altar. Thus, the altar was ever ready for the march, ever ready to move with the children of Israel. The intercessions of Christ are ours in every place or circumstance, and that continually. — ÒLo, I am with you alwayÓ (Matthew 28:20).

 

            Always ready! What a privilege! Always near! What a blessing! Try to get hold of this, my brother, my sister. when we offer our prayers to our God, when we come into his house to worship him, when we go out to labor for him, as we seek to live for him, mingled with the sweet incense of the SaviorÕs precious name, we are standing between the two staves of his faithfulness and power!

 

            As the staves were the means by which the altar was carried, we are reminded that the gospel sound must go into all the earth. Place has no power to shut out Christ. By the staves of GodÕs faithfulness and GodÕs power, let us go forth with the good news of his grace!

 

ItsÕ Horns

 

At each corner of the altar was a golden horn (v. 2). Horns are symbols of power and fulness. Here they speak of the power of ChristÕs advocacy and intercession. They were four in number, because Christ has his elect in the four corners of the earth. — ÒWherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for themÓ (Hebrews 7:25).

 

            The power of ChristÕs intercession does not lie in his persuasiveness, but in the fact of his presence before God as the glorified Son of Man. That God has taken one Man into heaven, that he has exalted him to his own right hand in human form, gives us hope that he might bring other men to glory, saved by the right hand of his great mercy. The wounds of Christ never fail in the eye of our gracious God. He is always Òthe Lamb as it had been slainÓ (Revelation 5:6). He always has power to save and to keep us by His grace. And He has the Òpower to open the bookÓ (Revelation 5:5).

 

            The altar was square. Such also was the shape of the atoning brazen altar. Our salvation is exceeding strong. Christ cannot fail. His atoning work is firmly based on the might of GodÕs own omnipotence forever!

 

ItsÕ Crown

 

On the top of the Altar of Incense there was a golden crown (v. 3). The crown is a royal emblem. Let Christ Jesus take it, then. It is his right. — ÒThe government shall be upon his shoulderÓ (Isaiah 9:6). God the Father cries, ÒYet have I set my King upon my holy hill of ZionÓ (Psalm 2:6). Once, indeed, derision mocked him with its crown of thorns. But now in heaven he wears redemptionÕs everlasting diadem. ÒBut,Ó as Henry Law observed, Òthough he rules thus high, his darling throne is the poor sinnerÕs heart! His brightest crown is jeweled with saved souls.Ó

 

            Around the top of the altar was a ridge, or crown, to keep the coals from falling off the altar. The coals of fire were protected by a crown of gold. ChristÕs priestly power is preserved and assured by his kingly might. He is now Òcrowned with glory and honourÓ (Hebrews 2:9).

 

            How comforting it must have been to the Israelite who was responsible to carry the altar over the rough desert that God had made provision against the falling of the coals of fire. Their feet might stumble; but the burning coals were still preserved by the crown of gold. — Glorious truth this! — What assurance! Our Priest is the King of the universe! Though Peter stumbled and fell, the coals of ChristÕs intercession failed not. As he said to Peter, so he says to every believing sinner, ÒI have prayed for theeÓ (Luke 22:32). We may fail; but the incense of his merits still ascends. When we read the 17th chapter of John, we should always remember this golden altar of incense in its magnificent portrayal of Christ our Intercessor.

 

The Incense

 

ÒAnd Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.Ó (Exodus 30:7-9)

 

ÒAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.Ó (Exodus 30:34-36)

 

            Here is something very important. The fire on which the incense was placed was taken from the brazen altar where the sin-offering was consumed (Leviticus 16:12-13). No other fire could be used. Aaron, the high priest, did not make a fire of his own choosing. His sons, Nadab and Abihu, did burn incense on a fire of their own kindling. This is called Òstrange fireÓ (Leviticus 10:1-2). What did they do that was so abominable? Nadab and Abihu departed from the plain Word of Jehovah, and by their actions signified that worship may be offered to God on another foundation than acceptance through a crucified Christ. For that the Lord killed them and will kill anyone who dares to approach him in any way except through the bloody sacrifice of the divine substitute Christ Jesus (Hebrews 9:22).

 

            The value of this altar lay in the incense. As we might expect, that which typifies the merit of GodÕs sin-atoning Son will have something peculiar and mysterious about it. It was made by the mingling of three spices each part was to be of equal weight (Exodus 30:34-38). What these spices (stacte, onycha and galbanum) were no man can tell. But I know exactly what they represent. They represent the sweet spice of ChristÕs merit and efficacy as our Redeemer.

  • The Merit of His Righteousness — His Obedience
  • The Efficacy of His Blood — His Atonement
  • And the Prevalence of His Advocacy — His Intercession

 

            Incense, of course, is a symbol of prayer (Psalm 141:2). As Aaron offered the incense, he was a figure of our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven offering up prayer on behalf of those who are his (Hebrews 9:24). Aaron offered up this incense exclusively for the children of Israel, and so it is that our Lord Jesus prays only for those who are his (John 17:9). Those for whom that sacrifice died on the brazen altar were included in the prayers of the golden altar. The intercessory work of our Lord does not exceed or fall short of his sacrificial work. As the fire fed on the sacrifice, so the fire of GodÕs wrath fed on and was satisfied by Christ our Substitute.

 

            Our Lord as our great High Priest not only prays for us but takes our prayers and presents them like incense before the FatherÕs throne. How he does this is illustrated in Revelation 8:3. He takes our persons and our prayers and our performances and presents them before God in the fragrance of his high priestly character and on the basis of his perfect sacrifice, giving us perpetual acceptance in all things with God (Ecclesiastes 9:7; 1 Peter 2:5).

 

            This is the meaning of the type before us in Exodus 30. — The intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ is based upon and finds its efficacy in the cross, in the sacrifice of himself as the sin-offering there. The horns of the altar of incense were stained once a year with the blood of atonement from the brazen altar (Exodus 30:10). And the priesthood of Christ and his work of intercession on our behalf rests wholly in the blood of the cross. Had he not died and met the claims of divine justice against us, he could not make effectual intercession for us.

 

Inseparable Altars

 

These two altars are inseparable. The sacrifice was made on the brazen altar; but the atonement is complete on the golden altar. What do we see between the two altars? — Resurrection! Our Lord died on the cross, the altar of sacrifice; and after his resurrection he took the blood of the cross to the throne of God in Heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us! Had he not risen, his death would have been of no avail and our faith would be vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Our High Priest rose from the dead, took his blood within the veil, consummated the atonement there, and made reconciliation. It was the blood that gave value to the incense; and it is the blood of Christ that makes both our persons and our prayers acceptable to God!

 

We dare not come to God, or seek to worship God, or bring any strange fire of free will or good works or law obedience to the thrice holy Lord God, lest, like Nadab and Abihu, he slay us in his wrath!

 

ÒAnd 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.Ó (Exodus 30:37-38)

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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