Anisha Riggs
The offering of incense was a highly prestigious task for a priest, and Zechariah was chosen by lot to perform this sacred duty. The altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, and the incense was burned upon a small golden altar in the centre of the sanctuary. The smoke from the incense ascending to the heights of the temple symbolised the prayers of God's people rising to God and being accepted by Him. The incense was burned each morning and evening, and Zechariah's task was to spread the incense on the altar while the other priests and worshippers prayed outside.
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What You'll Learn
The offering of incense was a prestigious task
The offering of incense was a solemn ceremony, and the priest who was chosen for this task was selected by lot, indicating that the appointment was not made by man but by God. The priest would be accompanied by fellow priests to the top of the steps leading from the temple courtyard to the sanctuary. He would then enter the sanctuary alone, while the other priests waited outside with the crowd. The priest who was chosen for this task could only perform it once in his lifetime.
Zechariah, a Temple priest, was chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple of the Lord. He was over 60 years old and had never been chosen to perform the incense ritual before, yet he was well-known in the Temple. He was accompanied by two friends or relatives, who helped him with the sacred service. The first helper removed the remnants of the previous evening's service from the altar of incense, and the second spread live coals from that morning's burnt offering. Then, Zechariah stood alone in the Holy Place, with the golden altar of incense in front of him. He waited for a special signal and then walked forward to spread the incense on the altar.
The offering of incense was a significant ritual, and it was considered a great honour for Zechariah to be chosen to perform it.
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Incense symbolised Israel's prayers being accepted by God
The offering of incense was a highly prestigious task, and the priest chosen to perform it was selected by lot. The incense was burned on a small golden altar in the centre of the sanctuary, situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, as close to the presence of God as possible. The smoke from the incense symbolised the prayers of the people rising to God and being accepted by Him.
The altar of incense was holy to the Lord and was atoned for with the blood of the sacrifice. The fact that the incense was always burning meant that people should always pray. The perpetual nature of the burning incense symbolised Christ's perpetual mediation.
In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). As Zechariah offered incense in the temple, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside (Luke 1:10).
The sweet-smelling smoke of the incense was thought to be pleasing to God, and the priests taught that the smoke carried the prayers of the people to God. The people believed that their prayers were constantly being carried to God, and the incense served as a reminder of this.
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Incense was burned on a small golden altar
The incense was burned each morning and evening, and the appointed priests alone were permitted to do this. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It was made of equal parts of four precious spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
The horns of the golden altar were sprinkled with blood from animal sacrifices to cleanse and purify it from the sins of the Israelites. The altar of incense can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people. Our prayers ascend to God as the smoke of the incense ascended in the sanctuary.
Zechariah was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. He was more than 60 years old and had never been chosen to perform the incense ritual before. He stood in front of the curtain of the temple and watched the clouds of incense ascend up to the heights of the temple.
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The altar of incense was placed before the veil of the Holy of Holies
The incense burnt on the altar is symbolic of prayers ascending to God. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. For instance, in Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense". Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, John describes the elders around the throne as "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people".
The altar of incense was always kept burning, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation. The incense was burnt with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, symbolising how our prayers must be kindled with heaven's grace.
Zechariah, a priest, was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. He was over 60 years old and well-known in the temple. He was assisted by two helpers, who prepared the altar of incense and added live coals from the morning's burnt offering. After they retired, Zechariah stood alone in the Holy Place and spread the incense on the altar. The smoke from the incense formed a cloud that moved upward in the Holy Place.
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The incense was a sweet-smelling savour to God
The offering of incense was a sacred and prestigious task. The altar of incense was situated in the Holy Place, as close to the presence of God as possible. The burning of incense symbolised the acceptance of Israel's prayers by God. The sweet-smelling smoke rising from the incense was thought to carry the prayers of the people up to God.
In the case of Zechariah, the priest was chosen by lot to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense. The assembled worshippers were praying outside while Zechariah performed the incense ritual. The incense was placed on a small golden altar in the centre of the sanctuary. The smoke from the incense ascended to the heights of the temple, and Zechariah said, "my prayers are heard in heaven by God."
The burning of incense was a daily occurrence, with appointed priests tending to the altar each morning and evening. The incense was composed of a special mixture of fragrant materials, carefully prepared and offered as a sacred service. The sweet smell of the incense not only carried the prayers of the people but also masked the unpleasant odours of daily life in ancient times.
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Frequently asked questions
Zechariah was a Temple priest, and burning incense was a part of his job.
The burning of incense was a symbol of the prayers of God's people rising to God. It was also a symbol of the intercession of Christ.
Burning incense was considered a prestigious task for a priest. Zechariah was chosen by lot to perform this task. He was accompanied by fellow priests to the top of the steps leading from the temple courtyard to the sanctuary. He then entered the sanctuary alone and burned the incense on a small golden altar.
