Sunday Message. Feb. 7, 2010
Series Walk Through The Bible
Title- The Tabernacle The Altar of Incense Prayer
Scripture: Hebrews 4: 14-16; Exodus 37: 25-28
Our walk through the bible has taken us to the tent of meetings or tabernacle which God in great detail has outlined to Moses A special place where he would dwell in the midst of his people.
We have taken the last few weeks to look at the various objects which were placed in and around this tent- each has a particular and significant place in the life of Gods people back in Moses day as well as for us today.
We have seen how Jesus Christ has fulfilled and has taken the place of each of theses objects and now God can be at the center of our life leading us- guiding us- protecting providing for us along our journey.
We have seen the court yard or ground around the actual tent fence- gate altar of sacrifice wash basin
In the tent there were two parts Holy place and divided by a veil or curtain the Holy of Holies.
In the Holy place there were three object the golden Candle stick the table of show bread
Today we will look at - The Golden Altar of Incense - straight ahead, before the veil, this third piece of furniture in the Holy Place on which the holy incense was burned. Made from acacia wood overlaid with pure gold it stood higher than any other article of furniture in the holy place, 2 cubits (3 feet) tall. It was one cubit square and it had around the top a crown of gold. It had four golden horns just as the bronze altar in the courtyard. Lower down on each side there were golden rings to insert the poles for carrying.
Poured out on burning coals the incense produced a delightful aroma in the Holy Place. It was the offering of the person whose sins had been forgiven by blood and who then went on to express the fragrance of love and worship, which was most pleasing to God. Exodus 37: 25-28
The first recorded use of incense was by the Egyptians adopted by Israelites as seen here.
Incense use in religious ritual was either further or simulteaneously developed in China, and eventually transmitted to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Incense has a role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites as well as in those of Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines. It is reputed to be a method of purifying the surroundings, bringing forth an assembly of Buddhas, gods, demons, and the like.
Incense has been employed in the worship of a number of Christian groups, particularly in the Eastern Christian churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and some Anglican and Lutheran Churches. The practice is probably rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Temple. It is often used after the manner of a purification ritual.
For some if not many of you here today incense in religious practice may not be all that new to you- especially if you come from a family background in Buddhist practices- or other eastern religions.
I did not know anything about incenses until around grade 8 in high school- early 70s
- meditation was popular with the Beatles going to India and were involved with Hindu transcendental meditation new age eastern religion
Incenses became very popular I had a friend who burnt it in his room- I thought this is weird smelted like perfume and our youth leader was all over us about the dangers of eastern meditation- new age views and I equated this with incenses must be out of bounds as well.
So I was quite surprised when I read that incenses were a significant part of the worship in the tabernacle. Incense is mentioned a number times through out the Bible.
What is the purpose why is it significant.
Each item in the Holy Place was an object of worship to God- the duty of the priest was to care for these items make sure the light was burning oil wicks were replaced light was Gods presence shining upon his people- the table of show bread make sure the bread was replaced the bread represented the people fellowship ongoing relationship God has with his people-
The altar of incense stood higher than the other objects- right in front of the Holy of Holies right behind the altar of incense was the veil or curtain that separated the priest from Gods immediate presences.
The priests were to make sure that incense was placed on the altar and it was burning before God.
It rises up as a sweet smelling aroma before God - now we all like nice smells.
- women know the alluring factor of nice smells and effect they have on men and men have manly smells to attract women.- companies make millions of dollars on perfumes and colognes.
Our sense of smell is one of the five main senses our taste of food is mostly made up of our ability to smell that is why when we have cold our taste buds still work but our smell is not working and our sense of taste is gone everything tastes blend.
In aroma therapy certain smells can actually bring a calming effect distress our lives.
Certain smells are repulsive going past a garbage dump we travel out to B.C. quite often and there is one stretch of highway just outside of Brooks Alberta there is a pig farm right beside the highway and for about 2-3 kilometers the smell takes away your breath gag.
So what is so appealing to God about this incenses- it has everything to do with prayer.
The golden altar of incense tells us of the ministry of Jesus as our intercessor whose prayers never stop ascending to God on our behalf.
Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Rom 8:34 It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
- this altar is replaced by Jesus himself sitting at the right hand of the Father continually making intersession for each us our needs concerns forgiveness when the accuser wants to accuse us.- He is our advocate pleads our case represents us.
His prayers and our prayers go up before God as a sweet smelling aroma notice -
Rev 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Rev 8:3-4 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angels hand.
In the Book of Revelation, incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints - which infuse upwards towards the altar of God..
Many of Davids psalms were actual prayers to God - notice what he says regarding his prayer in
Psalm 141:2-6
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil,
to take part in wicked deeds
with men who are evildoers;
let me not eat of their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man [a] strike meit is a kindness;
let him rebuke meit is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers;
6 their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
- May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
- David refers to his prayer to God like incenses a sweet smelling aroma come up before God.
Notice what he prays for guard my mouth- keep watch over my lips- dont let my heart be drawn to evil
- keep me from taking part with evildoers- bring someone who is righteous to come to me to rebuke me challenge me.
This was a sweet smelling prayer God says I like that a heart longing to follow after me I enjoy my children coming to me with those kinds of prayers.
- Like the evening sacrifice a daily time of setting apart for meeting with God.
Philippians 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer in place of anxiety be anxious for not one thing but by prayer and supplication make your request known to God.
Let God know what is troubling you - concerning you causing worry in your life.
Let his peace replace the worry peace knowing he hears and will be very present with you he will guide and provide- we need to trust him in the midst of our concern.
He wants to hear us come to him it indicates we believe he is bigger than our problems he is concerned he will respond- it is recognition of our dependency on him.
This is a sweet smelling aroma coming up before God
I have heard some people say - Oh I couldnt bother God with my little problems there are so many bigger problems in the world that he needs to take care of.
Our prayer is not a bother to God or taking up his time or wasting his time it is sweet aroma welcomed before him- it brings him great joy it is an act of worship.
Others have said - Why pray? God knows everything God has his plan it will unfold as he wants it to-
Yet we are told to pray- pray without ceasing - In everything gives thanks - We have not because we ask not - many of the prayers in the Bible are reflecting on Gods goodness faithfulness - Express gratitude and seeking direction for Gods purpose to be fulfilled.
Our prayers go up before God as a sweet welcomed aroma in the midst of a world in turmoil conflict I ask how can God continue to put up with all the wars he sees everything we only get a glimpse of tragedy of an earth wake the pain and suffering that is taking place God sees everyone the hate the criminal who never gets caught the victims what keeps him from wiping out everything and everyone?
Could it be that our prayers have a welcomed soothing savor before God.
Much like aroma therapy relieves stress for us- but he hears the praise of his people he inhabits our praise and it causes him too wait for one more person to join the group who know him and seek to glorify his name- our prayers are a sweet aroma ascending up before him in a way replaces all the turmoil- conflict and evil taking place which God is well of aware of.
Prayer is our act of Worship acknowledging God for who he truly is faithful loving - just- merciful filled with wisdom and righteousness.
Go through the alphabet and use each letter to describe one characteristic of God and praise him for that quality.
Right behind the altar of incenses was a veil separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies- the priests would come and go over 700 times in a year to do their duty but never go behind the veil that was for only the appointed high priest who would enter once a year on the day of atonement.
No one could go behind the curtain without special arrangements preparation selection and with the blood offering to be placed on the altar.
Tradition tells us a rope was tied around the priests angles just in case the offering was not accepted or they did not follow correct procedures so they could pull the dead pries tout without having ot go in and face death themselves.
This veil was torn in two pieces from top to bottom- splitting it wide open - when Jesus said it is finished as he gave up his life on the cross.
Why is this important to us it has everything to do with each of us now having the right and privilege to come right into Gods presence we are now priests who are told to come boldly into God very presence and make our requests known.
Hebrews 4: 14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We have the opportunity and great amazing privilege as saints priests to come right into Gods presence with confidence assurance that he welcomes us hears us like the priest did once a year.
We do so when we come before God in prayer-
How, in your daily life, can you keep the incense of prayer burning?
-make a Prayer list use the bulletin as reminders set aside time each day
- Contact list those in need this week those who need to accept Jesus my personal needs praise report
- Request date answer to prayer- in cell groups
- Pray back the Word of God as we spend time in his word- read of a challenge or God reveals himself make a personal prayer back to God. Listen and respond.
Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Father I am faced with many choices everyday some good some not good I want to choose what is best in your eyes the right path I want like Joshua to say for me and my friends we will serve you thank you for your faithfulness and power to help me do this.
God is with us at all times and we can approach him at any time with any need or concern or praise.
Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." approach the king and ask a very serious request he stopped and said God take control of this situation make him favorable to this request.
Bring all your needs and concerns to God- sit down to write that exam help me God to remember the things I have studied help me understand the questions- ask God to be part of your everyday life that is where he wants to be.
Our prayer to him is a welcomed sweet time that God desires from each of us.
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