We now come to one of the vessels of approach to God (Ex. 30:1-10). God’s righteousness was manifested at the brazen altar, but there also He met the sinner in love and accepted him in the value of the sacrifice, and thus opened the way to draw near to Himself.
The Golden Altar – the Altar of Incense
We may then readily understand why the altar of incense is not mentioned until now, for the way of approach must first be opened. Here Aaron burned the sweet incense. Taking coals of fire from the brazen altar, from the fire which God had kindled, and which never was allowed to go out, he carried these to the golden altar, and there placing incense upon the coals, a sweet fragrance arose before the Lord. The position of this altar of incense was in the holy place, before the veil. At the brazen altar, inside the gate of the court, God could meet with the people; at the golden altar, He met the priests, in the sanctuary. Both these altars convey the thought of drawing near to God, and this on the ground of the value of the sacrifices. On the golden altar there was no sacrifice; therefore coal was taken from the altar of burnt offering, showing that the judgment which consumed the offering there was the same that would bring out the sweet savor on the golden altar; and as the priest was accepted in the value of the shed blood, he would be seen in the acceptance through the cloud of sweet incense, in God’s presence. It was the action of the fire that brought out the sweet fragrance of the incense, even as the bruising under Jehovah’s rod manifested the fullest fragrance of Christ to God. The incense was to be perpetual (Ex. 30:8). This would show that the fragrance of Christ is unceasingly precious to God. In Revelation 8 an angel (evidently Christ) stood at the altar with a golden censer, and much incense was given Him that He should add it to, or offer it with, the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar; and the smoke of the incense ascended with the prayers of the saints before God; and God gave the answer in judgments poured out on those who were persecutors of the suffering ones. From this we would gather that the incense offered by Aaron (type of Christ) was of an intercessory character; “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). From this scripture we learn the precious truth that Christ saves to the uttermost — that is, through all the difficulties of their wilderness journey — those who come to Him.
“Much incense is ascending
Before th’ eternal throne;
God graciously is bending
To hear each feeble groan;
To all our prayers and praises,
Christ adds His sweet perfume,
And love the censer raises,
These odors to consume.”
Sweet Incense
In turn, the believer, made a priest unto God, has also sweet incense to offer; for, brought into God’s presence in all the acceptance of Christ, he is there as a worshipper, and, filled with Christ, he can give back to God of that which God has given to him — Christ. This is true worship — the heart filled to overflowing, and praise going forth to God out of the heart thus filled. “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). “Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).
The materials of the golden altar being the same as those of the ark and table, we have Christ presented to us in all that He is in nature, and also in character, and our approach to God is wholly through Him. And, as we have seen, not only is the thought of the believers’ acceptance in Christ brought before us in this altar, but, as priests, they have the privilege of presenting Him to God, and of enjoying with Him all the preciousness of Christ. This offering of incense was to be morning and evening, day after day, and year after year — never ceasing. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4).
The Lamps
The lamps must be dressed morning and evening at the time of the burning of the incense — a priestly care that there be nothing to hinder the light to shine out in all its brightness (Ex. 30:7-8). If this care is not taken by believers, there cannot be the enjoyment of Christ in what He is. The two things go together — light and ascending fragrance. It is when the Spirit is ungrieved that He takes of the things that are Christ’s and shows them unto us; and from hearts thus filled sweet fragrance goes forth to God. How careful the Christian should be to keep the lamps trimmed, not allowing in his thoughts, words, or ways, anything that will hinder the power and working of God’s Spirit in him.