| Read Exodus 30
Exodus 30 NLT - Plans for the Incense Altar - “Then - Bible Gateway
Exodus 30:34-35- Then
the Lord said to Moses, “Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk
shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure
frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts. Using the usual techniques
of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with
salt to produce a pure and holy incense." |
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Here we see the
incense serving as a symbol of all the prayers of the people being
lifted up to God, which revealed God's deep desire to be personally
connected to the people He loved so much, His precious possession. The
Tabernacle was gift from God with every element designed to assist God's
people in becoming a genuine community of faith made up of deeply
imperfect and flawed individuals, who stood in need of ongoing,
life-giving forgiveness and reconciliation. All of the symbols in this chapter helped point to this reality.
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In Ephesians 5:1-2
Paul, perhaps having texts like this in mind, said, "Imitate God,
therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live
a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us
and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to
God." The incense burned on the altar of the Tabernacle 3500 invited the
people into a life based on the love of God ("hesed" in Hebrew), which
points to the way God is committed loving us unconditionally; that is,
nothing we say, think, or do can change that fact. In this "hesed" love
God doesn't say to us, "I love you, Jamie, because you do x, y, and z;"
instead, the phrase is flipped, "Because I love you, Jamie, do x, y, and
z." Our joyful response to the free gift of salvation by grace through
faith in Jesus Christ alone is our discipleship. How can we let our lives be a beautiful offering to Jesus today?
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(By John Baillie-
1886-1960) Jesus Christ said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." O God, incline my
heart to follow in this way. Jesus Christ said, "Seek ye first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness." O God, incline my heart to follow
in this way. Jesus Christ said, "Do good and lend, hoping for nothing
again." O God, incline my heart to follow in this way. Jesus Christ
said, "Love your enemies." O God, incline my heart to follow in this
way. Jesus Christ said, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into
temptation." O God, incline my heart to follow in this way. Jesus Christ
said, "Fear not, only believe." O God, incline my heart to follow in
this way. Jesus Christ said, "Except ye turn again and become as little
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." O God, incline
my heart to follow in this way. Jesus Christ said, "Ask, and it shall
be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you." O God, incline my heart to follow in this way. Amen.
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"The
smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people,
ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out."
(Revelation 8:4), Pastor Jamie |
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