Scripture to Read: Exodus 30:1–38
God gave Moses the details for the Altar of Incense in Exodus 30:1–10. The Altar of incense was to sit in the Holy Place on the other side of the veil that separated the Holy of Holies (where the Ark of the Testimony was placed) from the Holy Place. Aaron was to burn the fragrant incense every morning and every evening as a continual fragrance unto the Lord. The only time an offering was made on the Altar of Incense was once a year (Exodus 30:10). God told Moses that Aaron “shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord” (Exodus 30:10). It’s awesome to be reminded that Christ is our fragrant aroma before God the Father on our behalf (Ephesians 5:2). God also told Moses (Exodus 30:11–16) that every male, twenty years of age and older, was to give “half a shekel as a contribution to the Lord” when a census was taken of Israel. This offering would help provide for the priests as they served the Lord full time in His work in the Tabernacle. In Exodus 30:17–21, God gave Moses the details for the Laver of Bronze, which was used to wash the hands and feet of the priests to be ceremonially clean. Even the anointing oil (Exodus 30:22–33) was made specifically for God’s Tabernacle, priests, and articles for His Worship. It was for God and God alone. How wonderful that God sees us as His and His alone as well.
Challenge & Application
· What did you learn about what it took to be ready to worship God and come into His presence?
· List as many things that come to mind that Christ has fulfilled so we can worship God any time and any place.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!