Christ in all the scriptures The Golden Altar

Christ in all the scriptures 

The Golden Altar

Readings: Exodus 30v1-10; 37v25-29; 39v38; 40v26; Leviticus16v12-13; Psalm141v2; Luke 1v8-11; Hebrews 9v3-4; Revelation 5v8; 8v3-4; 9v13.

It is a constant thing of wonder to behold the "flow of scripture", how each consecutive portion flows naturally into the next.  We can trace this pattern as we move into Exodus chapter 30, which opens with the Golden Altar.  In chapter 29 we have the inauguration of the priesthood.  We might well ask, what is the purpose of the priesthood, what is its function in the worship of  God?  The answer comes emphatically in chapter 30v1-10, for the purpose of this Golden Altar is clearly stated throughout scripture; it is the place of prayer, where worship, prayers, supplications, intercessions, rise like sweet incense before God.  We should not be in any doubt that the Golden altar represents the prayers of the saints: Psalm 141v2, "Let my prayer be set before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice"; Luke 1v9-10, "According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.  And the whole multitude were praying without at the time of incense"; Revelation 5v8, "...having every one of them harps and golden vials which are the prayers of the saints"; Revelation 8v3-4, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascending up before God out of the angel's hand".   Thus the primary function of the priest is to pray regularly before God.  We can all pray without restriction of time or place, and this is our most valuable contribution.  Not all of us can preach or teach, or oversee, but we can all pray.  Some aspects of this are suggested in the Golden Altar.

The Purpose of the altar    the thought is of acceptability in prayer.  This is stated in v1, "to burn incense thereon".   There are no sacrifices on this altar, only incense which is made by fire for Divine acceptance.  We have already cited the link between incense and prayer.  At the end of chapter 30 the incense is defined and all the ingredients speak of Christ, that which brought pleasure to God.  His life and death emitted a sweet fragrance to God, as opposed to the stench of sin which had marked every other man.  The Song of Solomon states that "His name is as ointment poured forth..."- S. o S. 1v3.  The very mention of His name brings pleasure to God, and for this reason prayer is always linked to His name-John 14v13-14; 15v16; 16v24; Ephesians 5v20; Colossians 3v17.   We have been made clean in His sight, yet we still possess flaws in character and so our prayers can be at times amiss.  James says that sometimes we fail to ask; then again we ask amiss, for selfish reasons.  In our prayers the Holy Spirit takes account of our infirmities in prayer and He perfects the petitions according to the will of God-Romans 8v26-27.  The failings in our prayers are more than perfected when mingled with the incense, symbolic of the perfections of Christ.  The fire to vaporise the incense was taken from the brazen altar which God originally kindled-Leviticus 16v12-14  Thus the fragrance was of Christ, and the acceptability is based on God's appreciation of His sacrifice.

The Pattern of the altar  

Constructed of shittim (acacia) wood, the golden altar represents Christ in perfect humanity. At His incarnation He became a man; in heaven now He is still a man and will be forever-1st Timothy 2v2, "the man Christ Jesus".

It is foursquare, 1 cubit x 1 cubit, suggesting universal benefit to all-1st Timothy 2v1-6-four different types of prayer (v1) and four references to all men-v1, v2, v4, v6.

Two cubits in height, the tallest of the measured vessels.  Paul in 1st Timothy 2v1 said that "first of all" prayer to be made for all men.  That is the primary priestly function of the church in the world is prayer for the needs of all men.

The horns of the altar were of the same material, no doubt they were to hold the burning censors for the incense.  The horns in scripture speak of power as we have seen before.  We should all be persuaded of the power of prayer, the subject of many a booklet, and the greatest power on earth.  The beautiful hymn by John A Wallace presents it well:

"There is an eye that never sleeps beneath the wings of night; there is an ear that never shuts when sink the beams of light.

There is an arm that never tires when human strength gives way; there is a love that never fails when earthly loves decay.

That eye is fixed on seraph throngs that arm upholds the sky; that ear is filled with angel songs that love enthroned on high.

But there's a power that man can wield when mortal aid is vain; that eye that arm, that love to reach, that listening ear to gain/

That power is prayer that soars on high through Jesus to the throne; and moves the hand that moves the world to bring deliverance down."

The altar was overlaid with pure gold.  The man who intercedes for us in heaven is no less than God the Supreme Being.  When we come to the altar we are coming to God Most High, creator, possessor, controller of all heaven and earth.  What a wonderful privilege to be granted audience with God Almighty at all times of the day!  

The Pomp of the altar  There is a crown of gold round about.  Jesus is enthroned at the pinnacle of universal splendour, and we are invited to appear before Him.  He is on the throne of grace at the centre and circumference of  all existence.  He has full authority in all heaven and earth-Matthew 28v18; refer also Hebrews 1v3; 1v13; 8v1; 10v12; 12v2.

The Prospect of the altar  Rings of gold and staves of shittim wood overlaid with gold.  The Israelites were on a journey to the promised land.  We are also on a journey; God is bringing many sons to glory, led by the captain of their salvation-Hebrews 2v10.  This life of communion with God will culminate on everlasting blessing in His presence.

The Position of the altar  v6 says "before the vail...by the ark of testimony...before the mercy seat, where I will meet with thee".  This is the place of intimacy, the private place, the secret place.  Even in a crowd we can make it the secret place, though it is best in what He calls "thy closet, with the door shut"-Matthew 6; it is to speak to God alone, where only He sees and hears us.  It is here we have communion with God, and receive communication from God.  It is nearest to the throne of God, the sanctuary, as other scriptures define it.  Hebrews 7v19, "...a better hope by which we draw nigh unto God; 10v22 "Let us draw near..."; James 4v8, "Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto you".  The reality of this is awesome, but we must realise it in practise.  What earthly dignitary would allow you to get so close?

The Perpetuity of the altar  v7-8 Every morning on dressing the lamps; Divine light associated with the incense.  Every evening at the lighting of the lamps.  "A perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations".   Refer; Exodus 27v21; Leviticus 24v1-4; 1st Chronicles 23v13; Luke 1v9-10.  V10, once every year on the day of atonement, shall Aaron sprinkle blood on the horns of the altar.  Every day, once in every year, and  in every generation!  This altar is most holy unto the Lord.  Do we visit it daily??

The secret place, the sacred place, the meeting place with God, the Golden Altar of incense.  This holy exercise is open to us all.