Seamus Hammond
The Bible describes prayer as incense on three occasions. In Exodus 30, God commands that an altar of incense be made for the tabernacle, and provides a specific recipe for how the spices are to be blended. In Psalm 141:2, the Bible reads: May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, it is written that prayers ascend to heaven like incense, and that God collects prayers like incense in golden bowls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense in the Bible | The Bible describes incense as an offering to God, often accompanied by prayers. |
| Incense as Prayer | The smoke of incense rising is likened to prayers rising to God. |
| Biblical References | Exodus 30:7-8, First Thessalonians, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3-5 |
| Incense Altar | The Bible specifies that the altar for burning incense should be made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and with horns of one piece. |
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What You'll Learn
Prayer as incense in Exodus 30:7-8
In Exodus 30:7–8, the Bible describes the altar of incense in the Tabernacle. Aaron, the high priest, is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning and evening before the Lord, with the ritual taking place perpetually and continuously throughout generations. The Hebrew word for burn, "qatar", means "to cause to rise up in smoke", and this smoke rising from the incense is symbolic of intercessory prayer.
The altar of incense was not a place for offerings or sacrifices, but rather a place for humble petition and prayer. This is reflected in Psalms 141:2, Luke 1:10, and Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4. The act of burning incense is thus a form of worship, with prayers rising to God in a pleasing way. This imagery of prayer as incense is seen throughout the Bible, such as in First Thessalonians, where believers are instructed to pray continually.
The altar of incense itself was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and stood in the Tabernacle before the veil leading to the Holy of Holies. The four horns, likely symbolizing power, were smeared with the blood of a sin offering to purify the altar. This purification was to be performed once a year on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month in the religious calendar of Israel.
The specific formula for the incense is provided in Exodus 30:34-38, and Aaron was warned against offering any strange or unauthorized incense on the altar. This prohibition may have been to prevent the use of incense designed for pagan rituals and to ensure the purity of worship.
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Incense as a picture of worship
Incense is a recurring motif in the Bible, often used as a metaphor for prayer and worship. The act of burning incense is mentioned in Exodus 30, where God commands that an altar of incense be made for the tabernacle. The Bible also provides a specific recipe for how the spices should be blended, emphasizing the importance of this ritual.
In Exodus 30:7–8, Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning before the Lord as a regular offering. This act becomes a powerful picture of worship, with the smoke of the incense rising towards God, symbolizing the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven. This imagery is further reinforced in Psalm 141:2, where the psalmist prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
The book of Revelation also uses incense as a metaphor for prayer. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, it is written that the prayers of the saints rise to God like incense, and God collects these prayers in golden bowls. This imagery illustrates the belief that prayers are precious to God, who receives them as a pleasing offering.
The use of incense as a metaphor for prayer emphasizes the idea of worship rising towards God. It conveys a sense of devotion, sacrifice, and humility before God. The act of burning incense also symbolizes the purification and sanctification of the prayers, as they are offered up to God. Furthermore, the pleasant aroma of incense represents the pleasing nature of prayer and worship to God.
In conclusion, incense in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of worship and prayer. It illustrates the belief that prayers rise towards God, who receives them graciously. The imagery of incense captures the essence of devotion, praise, and petition, offering a tangible representation of the spiritual act of prayer.
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Incense as a symbol of prayer rising to God
The Bible uses incense as a symbol of prayer rising to God in several passages. In Exodus 30:7–8, Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning before the Lord as a regular offering:
> "And he shall burn it, a regular incense offering, before the Lord, throughout your generations."
This passage sets the scene for the rest of the Bible, in which prayer is often described as being like incense offered up to God. The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of the saints, rises to God. This symbolism is also seen in Psalm 141:2, where the psalmist prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
The book of Revelation also mentions incense as a symbol of prayer. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, it is written that the prayers of the saints ascend to heaven like incense, and God collects these prayers in golden bowls. The image of incense as a representation of prayer is a powerful one, conveying the idea that our prayers rise to God in a pleasing and worshipful way.
Furthermore, the act of burning incense is seen as a sacred ritual, requiring specific instructions from God. In Exodus 30, God commands that an altar of incense be made for the tabernacle and provides a detailed recipe for blending the spices. This altar is to be made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and measuring one cubit in length, width, and two cubits in height.
The symbolism of incense as prayer is further emphasized by the role of angels in the Bible. In one instance, an angel stands at the altar, holding a golden censer filled with incense, which represents the prayers of the saints being offered up to God. This imagery reinforces the idea that our prayers, like incense, rise before God and are precious to Him.
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The altar of incense
Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord. The incense was made from fine spices, carefully mixed and burned to create a sweet-smelling smoke that rose to God, symbolizing the prayers of His people. The smoke from the incense constantly ascending from the altar represented the constant offering of prayers to God.
The Bible also associates incense with the concept of mediation. In the Old Testament, priests served as mediators between the people and God, offering incense on their behalf. However, in the New Testament, this role is fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who serves as our Great High Priest, enabling us to approach God directly without the need for priestly mediation.
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Incense as a symbol of God answering prayers
The Bible uses incense as a symbol of prayer and, by extension, as a symbol of God answering prayers. This symbolism is introduced in Exodus 30, where God commands that an altar of incense be made for the tabernacle, and provides a specific recipe for how the spices are to be blended.
In Exodus 30:7–8, Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning before the Lord:
> "And he shall burn it, a regular incense offering, before the Lord, throughout your generations."
This imagery of incense offerings is used throughout the Bible to represent prayer. For example, in Psalm 141:2, we read:
> "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
The book of Revelation also describes prayers ascending to heaven like incense, with God collecting these prayers in golden bowls. This is further reinforced by the mention of angels standing at the altar, holding golden censers with incense to symbolise the prayers of the saints.
The act of burning incense is thus used as a symbolic representation of prayer in the Bible, with the smoke of the incense rising towards God, just as prayers are offered up to Him. This symbolism underscores the importance of prayer and its role in facilitating communication with God. It also serves as a reminder that our prayers, like the sweet fragrance of incense, should be pleasing to God.
Therefore, the use of incense as a symbol of prayer in the Bible extends beyond mere ritual and becomes a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of prayer and God's willingness to answer the prayers of His people.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible compares prayer to incense on three occasions. Firstly, in Exodus 30, God commands that an altar of incense be made for the tabernacle. Secondly, in Psalm 141:2, we read, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice". Lastly, in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, we learn that our prayers ascend to heaven like incense, and God collects them in golden bowls.
The Bible compares prayer to incense to illustrate how our prayers rise to God in a pleasing way. Incense is also used as a form of worship, with prayers of praise, confession, petition, and intercession rising like incense before God.
In Exodus 30:7-8, Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense every morning before the Lord as a regular offering. This sets the picture of worship and prayer before God. Another instance is in Revelation 8, where angels stand at the altar with a golden censer, offering incense along with the prayers of the saints.
The comparison between prayer and incense encourages us to pray continually, offering prayers of various kinds throughout the day. It reminds us that our prayers, like incense, rise before God and are pleasing to Him. We can also reflect on the raw materials for prayer being provided by God, ignited in our hearts, and ascending upward naturally.
