Exodus 30:7-8 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.”
The priests were consecrated to burn incense on the golden altar of incense. On the altar they would put hot coal from the brazen altar and add a handful of the fragrance in the formula that the Lord had prescribed in (Exodus 30:34-38). To burn incense every morning and twilight, regularly, was an important ordinance from the Lord. The Holy Place was filled with the sweet smoky fragrance continually.
The fire on the golden altar of incense had to be from the hot burning coals from the brazen altar. Any other fire was “strange fire”. The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offered incense on ‘strange fire’ and fell dead in the presence of the Lord.
Burning aromatic incense is emblematic of intercessory prayers. “Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering” (Psalm 141:2). Standing in the gap, interceding for the lost, addicted, rebellious, sick and diseased is the responsibility of a priest. If our prayer is only about our needs, we are not using the ‘fourfold-fragrance-formula’. Praying for people, peace, protection and provision would be the fourfold-fragrance-formula.
The Priests are Intercessors:
1. Fragrance: The fragrance had to be pounded together before they were burnt as aroma. Similarly, once we place our prayer requests in the altar of incense they change form and colour. Intercessory prayers on fire transform into fragrant incense and ascend to the throne of God.
2. Fire: The live coal from the brazen altar that had the blood splattered on it should be the fire on the golden altar of incense. This means our hearts must be covered by the blood of Jesus before we stand in the gap to pray or intercede. Intercession with hidden sin or bitterness would be like ‘strange fire’ before the Lord.
3. Favour: The fragrance of intercession ascends up to heaven and unlocks the door of divine favour.
Intercession is a very important obligation of the priest. Standing in the gap for others is the responsibility of God’s Royal Priesthood.
Prayer: Father God, help me live as your royal priesthood serving you and bringing glory to you. Amen.
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