Psalm 141:2

Psalm 141:2

The Altar of Incense.

The Altar of Incense was a prominent feature in the Tabernacle constructed under Moses, and also in the Temples built by his successors. This item of sacred furniture was housed in the Holy Place, accompanied by the Table of Shewbread and the 7 branched lampstand or Menorah. When the Temple rites and rules were established, there were at least two events in each day when the Altar of Incense was used, these were at the times of the morning and evening sacrifices at 9.00am and 3.00pm. (Exodus 29:38-41 and Numbers 28:3-8). These were also hours of prayer. A priest would be chosen to enter the Holy Place with burning coals and a censor of incense, and the coals would be placed on the Altar and the incense poured over them. The consequence was a cloud of sweet-smelling fumes ascending before the curtain that led into the Holiest of All, the chamber that housed the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. It was this special task that had fallen to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist and which is described in Luke 1:8-10.

All of this is symbolic of a greater reality; it points to the Throne of God in heaven and the prayers that are offered before Him there. Revelation 5:8 describes this heavenly scene and tells us that the prayers of God’s people are offered to Him as golden bowls full of incense. After the incense was poured out the priest would lift his hands to the Lord in a gesture of humility and symbolising the lifting of prayers before the heavenly Throne. This symbolism teaches us the importance and relevance of our prayer, that it rises as incense to the Lord. In addition, we are being encouraged to consider raising our hands before Him as we pray, a sign of our deference but also a way of reaching up to God as we present our requests. So, there is a time to kneel in submission, perhaps when we confess our sins and repent of our disobedience and rebellion. But there is also a time to stand tall and raise our hands high into the air, as we lift our requests before the throne of our God. Hallelujah!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more

Psalm 119:87

  Psalm 119:87 Almost but not quite If only we knew the circumstances that form the back story to this Psalm! What happened to the psalm-writer to make him feel so vulnerable? Who exactly were these antagonists and persecutors and how did they “almost wipe our friend from the earth”? We’ve already speculated that he must have been a priest or maybe a member of the royal family for his suffering seems to have wide-ranging and public consequences. It seems that there had been a murderous plot on his life and now the author admits that whilst he nearly died, he still clings tenaciously to the precepts of the Lord his God. Precepts are the laws and commands that come from the lips of overseers, in other words, the writer believes that the Lord is watching over him and that he is safeguarded and protected by the words that come from His guardian.  There is a vital lesson here for us, there will be times when, at the very least, our reputations are under threat; for some who believe...
Read more

Psalm 119:96

Psalm 119:96 Beyond perfection What a curious verse! What does the writer mean when he says,  “To all perfection I see a limit, but Your commands are boundless?”  Perhaps this is better translated, “ Everything I see has its limits, but Your commands have none ”, or “ Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limits. ”  It’s a deeply philosophical point isn’t it, that when we consider perfection, we have to admit that it can go no further, it can be improved no more. If something is perfect there is nothing more to add, it cannot be bettered. In that sense, perfection has its boundaries and its limitations. The writer is telling us that God’s commands are limitless, they have no boundaries; the word used here is translated “broad” in some translations. His commands go beyond perfection! It feels like we are standing on a beach somewhere, gazing at the vastness of the ocean before us and pondering its beginning and its end, or gazing at the night sky with i...
Read more