Exodus 30
Today's Passage: Exodus 30
“Similar, but different.” As I read passages such as Exodus 30, that’s the phrase the constantly comes to mind. In this passage we read instructions on crafting the incense alter, a washing basin, and the recipes for oil and incense. All of these things existed in the world at that time. Nothing new was being invented in these instructions. However, although similar items existed, what God demanded was different.
“Holy” means to be “set apart.” It bears the idea of having a specific intended purpose. This wasn’t just any ol’ incense holder—this was Holy. It wasn’t Holy because it was crafted from fine wood or overlaid with precious metal. It was Holy because God declared it so. As such, once crafted, this relatively small box (1.5’ square by 3’ high) couldn’t just get picked up and moved. It had to be carried by poles (without touching the box) just like the Ark. Additionally, nothing else could touch it—not burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or even the wrong kind of incense. It had a specific special use and was sprinkled once a year by blood of the atonement offering. This box was crafted according to exact specifications for one purpose and one purpose only—to burn the right kind of incense.
I could allegorize this passage and talk about how we’re plain ol’ wood, but when God looks at us He sees us covered in the purity of the gold of Jesus’ righteousness and how our sin has been atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. That’ll preach, but it doesn’t do justice to the passage. We aren’t the alter of incense. We’re much more valuable than that.
God used 10 verses, incredibly valuable resources, and required specific treatment to instruct and craft a glorified ash tray—but he sent his Son for us. I don’t mean to belittle something so special, which it was. Incense often symbolized prayer and it certainly made the tabernacle and temple a place that had a “lived in” quality. However, when believers are called God’s “workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10, it’s clear that God made us more special than this alter. And, if anything, the preciousness and set-apartness of this alter should increase our hope for the day when we walk the streets of gold. If God demanded something so nice, just for incense, imagine what’s in store in glory!
These passages illustrate an exactness and intentionality by God. It also gives us a picture of holiness. Sometimes we think of profaning the Name of the Lord as verbal slander or living in sin. However, profaning God’s Name may also mean treating Him as something common. God’s call for holiness means to live uncommonly, to magnify his Name, to build up the Body of Christ, and expand his Kingdom here on Earth. Let us not casually stroll into sacred spaces—we must be exact, intentional, and most of all, set apart.
Written By: Tyler Short
“Similar, but different.” As I read passages such as Exodus 30, that’s the phrase the constantly comes to mind. In this passage we read instructions on crafting the incense alter, a washing basin, and the recipes for oil and incense. All of these things existed in the world at that time. Nothing new was being invented in these instructions. However, although similar items existed, what God demanded was different.
“Holy” means to be “set apart.” It bears the idea of having a specific intended purpose. This wasn’t just any ol’ incense holder—this was Holy. It wasn’t Holy because it was crafted from fine wood or overlaid with precious metal. It was Holy because God declared it so. As such, once crafted, this relatively small box (1.5’ square by 3’ high) couldn’t just get picked up and moved. It had to be carried by poles (without touching the box) just like the Ark. Additionally, nothing else could touch it—not burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or even the wrong kind of incense. It had a specific special use and was sprinkled once a year by blood of the atonement offering. This box was crafted according to exact specifications for one purpose and one purpose only—to burn the right kind of incense.
I could allegorize this passage and talk about how we’re plain ol’ wood, but when God looks at us He sees us covered in the purity of the gold of Jesus’ righteousness and how our sin has been atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. That’ll preach, but it doesn’t do justice to the passage. We aren’t the alter of incense. We’re much more valuable than that.
God used 10 verses, incredibly valuable resources, and required specific treatment to instruct and craft a glorified ash tray—but he sent his Son for us. I don’t mean to belittle something so special, which it was. Incense often symbolized prayer and it certainly made the tabernacle and temple a place that had a “lived in” quality. However, when believers are called God’s “workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10, it’s clear that God made us more special than this alter. And, if anything, the preciousness and set-apartness of this alter should increase our hope for the day when we walk the streets of gold. If God demanded something so nice, just for incense, imagine what’s in store in glory!
These passages illustrate an exactness and intentionality by God. It also gives us a picture of holiness. Sometimes we think of profaning the Name of the Lord as verbal slander or living in sin. However, profaning God’s Name may also mean treating Him as something common. God’s call for holiness means to live uncommonly, to magnify his Name, to build up the Body of Christ, and expand his Kingdom here on Earth. Let us not casually stroll into sacred spaces—we must be exact, intentional, and most of all, set apart.
Written By: Tyler Short
No Comments