Exodus 37
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Exodus 37:25-27, They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it. They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
Most of this chapter includes instructions on how to make the ark, table, altar of incense, and the lampstands, which are repeated from previous chapters. Why the repeat? I'm not sure but I do think repetition helps us remember. I picture Moses needing to give the instructions on how to build these various things over and over and over again.
One aspect of these instructions that is worthy of some additional comments is the altar of incense. What was its purpose? From what I understand, the altar of incense was placed before the veil that divided the holy place from the most holy place (the holiest of holies). The smoke from the incense, along with the curtain, was supposed to prevent the priest who was working in the holy place to see the presence of God in the most holy place. These were essentially layers of protection, as the priest would have surely died if he saw God's presence.
This is kind of strange to us. Because of the Holy Spirit coming down in Acts 2 and indwelling believers, we always have the presence of God with us. I never feel like I need to be protected from God's presence. On the contrary, I feel protected by God's presence. But the people in Exodus were in a different place. God related to his people in a way that made sense at the time; in a way they knew and could understand. How grateful I am for living on this side of the cross. Because of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, we relate to God in a totally different way. Because of the Holy Spirit, God dwells with us in a very personal and real way. We don't need a curtain or incense, we can rest in his presence anywhere, anytime. How thankful I am!
Let's pray...God, thank you for allowing us to rest in your presence. Thank you for a personal and intimate relationship that means we can always know you are with us. Help us experience your mighty presence today in our lives! In Jesus' Name, Amen.