QT 4/24/2026 Exo 30:1–10, Our relationship to God through the symbols in the tabernacle

Exodus 30:1–10 (ESV) —

1 “You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. 4 And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you. 7 And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. 9 You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”

 

NOTE: This is the third and final aspect to the tent itself, the altar of incense. It sits between the shewbread and the menorah candle. In Revelation, the altar of incense is repeatedly used to reference the prayers of the saints.

 

Revelation 8:3–4 (ESV) — 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Revelation 5:8 (ESV) —

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

 

A relationship with God involves everything represented in the tabernacle. First, God's presence is there behind the curtain (in the new covenant, that barrier is gone). We have God's word (table of shewbread) -- God speaks to us through his word. We have light, God's will (the menorah candles) -- God gives us his will but we must obey it. And we have prayer (altar of incense) -- We speak to God in prayer asking for his will for our life. The breakdown in all of this for the believer is multiple. We fail to get into word daily. We fail to follow God's clearly defined will in his Word daily. We fail to pray and trust him with our life. And then we wonder why we don't experience the zeal, joy, and hope of other Christians.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I listening to God through his word daily?
2. Am I obeying the reveal will of God, clearly expressed in his word?
3. Am I praying to God according to what he is revealing to me through his word?

 

PRAYER: Father, it makes me sick to see the church so thoroughly fail you and then point the finger at others for their failure. Maybe I am doing the same right now. Renew us. Give us the discipline to seek you daily in your word. That is the starting point.