7 "Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.
8 "When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
9 "You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
10 "Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he 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."
For example, incense was to be burned every morning and every evening, perpetually. Our first thought on rising is to be to commune in prayer with our Maker and Redeemer (e.g. "Holy Father, good morning! I praise you and honor you. I am in this world on this day for your eternal purposes…").
And even though we are commanded to pray without ceasing and throughout the day, there is another special time devoted to prayer and that is at evening. Last thoughts are as important as first thoughts. (e.g. "Dear Father, thank you for all the opportunities you afforded me today. Forgive me for my obvious and presumptuous sins today. Bless my sleep so I can rise refreshed for whatever you have for me tomorrow…")
Also, no strange incense is to be offered as prayer. I don’t know what this means. It could be that any impurity of prayer is being referenced. Selfishness, greed, ‘asking amiss that we may spend it on our own lusts’ would likely qualify as strange incense. Also, prayer to any other god or deity would certainly be a perversion.
God wants us to be ever aware of our need for Him and our position of gratitude to Him for all of our needs and His benefits. We are utterly dependent on Him and ought never attribute to others, what He alone provides. Make no mistake! It is only because of His good pleasure that you take your next breath.
1 comment:
The parallel between prayer and incense is intriguing, especially the 'strange' part. In addition to the interpretation you offer--that the content of our prayers can be strange, or unlawful--perhaps the form of our prayers can be strange. Exodus and Leviticus reveal a close attention to and concern about the form of worship.
Post a Comment