Numbers 7.13-17
His offering was … one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense.
The grain and oil we thought about yesterday would be grown in the land of Israel (when they finally got there!), but incense was not produced in Israel and had to be imported from further east. It was therefore costly. Incense in the tabernacle was added to the grain offering, but never to the animal sacrifices. It was so special that it was put in a gold dish not a silver one. And the incense was also offered on the gold altar in front of curtain of the holiest place, and it was very fragrant. The fine flour and oil could be appreciated by the Israelites, whereas the incense was something to delight the nostrils of God! So he could say of Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” In Revelation the prayers of God’s people are said to be bowls of incense. Our prayers delight God!
The veil is rent, lo Jesus stands before the throne of grace,
And clouds of incense from his hands fill all that glorious place.
Within the holiest of all, cleansed by his precious blood,
Before Thy throne Thy children fall, and worship Thee, our God!
Leave a Reply