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Youth Worship 27th July 2024 : The Altar of Incense

Text: Exodus 30:1-10; 34-38
27 July 2024

YOUTH WORSHIP 27 JULY 2024

Message Outline
Exodus 30:1-10; 34-38
Focus: The Altar of Incense

INTRODUCTION

1. Aaron and his sons

a) Holy garments were made for them
b) They were consecrated for ministry
c) They were to serve God as priests

2. Our focus today

a) To learn about one of the altars found in God’s tabernacle
b) To understand the ministry of the priesthood
c) To appreciate their ministry of prayer

GOD’S DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTAR OF INCENSE

1. Altars in the past (cairn altars)

a) The purposes of these altars would vary
b) The appearance of the altar and materials used would differ
c) Anyone could erect and use an altar
2. Two altars in God’s tabernacle
a) The altar of burnt offering (Exodus 27:1-8)
b) The altar of incense (Exodus 30)

3. God’s description of the altar of incense was given in precise detail

a) Its purpose was to have incense burned on it (Exodus 30:1a)
b) Its appearance (Exodus 30:1b-5)
i. Acacia wood was the material to be used for the altar
(α) Hardy material
(β) Resistant to decay
(γ) Found in the desert
ii. Dimensions of the altar
(α) A cubit by a cubit with a height of 2 cubits
(β) This is equivalent to 50cm by 50cm with a height of 1m
(γ) Smaller than the altar of burnt offering
iii. A horn on each corner
(α) Represented power and strength
(β) Symbolic of the majesty of God
iv. Whole altar was to be overlaid with pure gold
(α) Nothing but the best was to be used
(β) Altar of incense was to look spectacular and grand
(γ) Matched the gold table and gold lampstand in the Holy Place
v. A molding or a crown of gold all around
vi. 2 gold rings on both its sides
vii. 2 poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold were to be made
c) Its place in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:6)
i. It shall be placed before the veil
ii. The veil was before the ark of the Testimony
iii. This veil was before the mercy seat that was over the Testimony

4. Attention was needed to be given to every detail and each detail was to be obeyed

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HIGH PRIEST IN REGARD TO THE ALTAR OF INCENSE

1. The burning of sweet incense

a) Instructions concerning incense were explicitly made known by God (Exodus 30:34-38)
i. Composition
ii. Description
iii. Application
iv. Prohibition
b) A daily responsibility (Exodus 30:7-8)
i. Every morning when Aaron tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on the altar
ii. At twilight when Aaron lights the lamps, he shall burn incense on it
iii. This was symbolic of prayer (Cf. Hebrews 5:1-4)
(α) Incense represented prayer
(β) The high priest would be conscious of the nation before God
(γ) Aaron would represent them and intercede on behalf of the people
(δ) The high priest understood those who were ignorant and going astray
(ε) He was able to pray with compassion since he was also subject to weakness
iv. This was to become a perpetual incense before God throughout the generations

 

(α) Prayers were to be continually offered
(β) Prayers were to be offered by the high priest before God
c) Nothing else was allowed to be offered on the altar of incense (Exodus 30:9)
i. Never strange incense (Cf. Leviticus 10)
(α) “Strange” meant that it wasn’t the incense which was made according to
God’s instructions
(β) Strange incense could be incense which other nations used
(γ) In the story of Nadab and Abihu, they offered what God did not command
(δ) Because they did not regard God as holy and glorify Him, they died
ii. Neither burnt offering nor grain offering shall be offered on it
iii. A drink offering shall not be poured on it
iv. The use of the altar of incense needed to be according to God’s prescription
v. Great care was needed to be given when the priesthood ministered to God

2. The making of atonement (Exodus 30:10; cf. Leviticus 16:18-19)

a) Annually, Aaron was to make atonement upon its horns with the blood of the sin offering
b) Necessary since the tabernacle of meeting remained among the nation’s uncleanness
c) Blood needed to be used
i. Some was put on the horns
ii. Some was sprinkled on it with his finger seven times
iii. These were for cleansing
iv. These were for consecration from the uncleanness of the children of Israel
d) This practice was most holy to God

 

CONCLUSION

1. The ministry of the high priest

a) He was expected to serve God faithfully and diligently daily
b) He needed to serve in appropriate ways according to God’s instructions
c) His concern was for the people and the tabernacle of God

2. The prayers of the high priest

a) Prayers were offered on behalf of the people
b) They were compassionately offered since he understood their weaknesses
c) Prayers that were made before God ascended to Him like incense

LESSONS WE CAN APPLY TO OUR LIVES

1. Let us have a higher regard for God

a) When we serve Him
b) When we worship
c) When we obey His Word
d) When we pray

2. Let us be more prayerful

a) Let us make our requests known to Him believing that He hears our prayers
b) Let us be grateful for those who compassionately pray on our behalf