Every aspect of the tabernacle and its furniture is rich in symbolism and each element contains a message. The incense altar was a symbol of prayer. The offering of incense symbolised the prayers of God’s people being lifted up to God symbolically by the high priest. The rising smoke of the incense was a picture of the sweetness of prayer to God as though it were fragrant incense in his nostrils. God breathes in our prayers with delight because they are the fruit of our faith in him and our childlike confidence in his love. The New Testament depicts Jesus always interceding for us like the priest before the presence of God in the tabernacle. The picture here is that Jesus himself is delivering and praying your prayers of faith before the face of God. We have every reason, therefore, to be confident that our prayers will be answered. You may not feel worthy to have your prayers answered and, in yourself, you are not. But Jesus, who paid for your guilt, also delivers your prayers to God and argues your case based on his payment for you. And God will not hesitate to bless you for the sake of his glory and his purpose. This is what was enacted by the priest before the curtain to the Most Holy Place every morning and evening. By this symbol God is declaring how he loves our prayers. God wants us to pray constantly, as expressed in verse 8: “So incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.” Christians are praying people.
Pray and intercede for the things that are on your heart.
Read Exodus 30:1-10
