THE FRAGRANCE OF HOLINESS. EXODUS 30 There were three places in the area of the Tabernacle where the Lord God met with His people. The first meeting place was at the brazen altar in the courtyard, where sinners could come because a sacrifice for sin was made. This speaks to us of a work in the past that was accomplished when the Lord Jesus was here on earth. The second place of meeting was at the golden altar in the Holy Place before the veil, on which incense was laid on coals from the brazen altar in the morning when Aaron dressed the lamps and in the evening when he lit the lamps.
Our approach to God is made possible by the sacrifice that was made at the “brazen altar,” where our Lord Jesus Christ, who is both our altar and sacrifice, gave Himself to save us from our sins. This is where we begin as believers in our Lord Jesus. One of the things that happens at that moment of salvation is that we are made a “priest” who can approach God directly. He accepts our praise, thanksgiving, and words of gratitude because He accepted Christ’s sacrifice in our place. He has also made us worshipers and filled us with His fullness. We are perpetual and permanent worshipers.
This speaks to us of the present work of our Great High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, where at the right hand of God, "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." Atonement for sin was made at the brazen altar as a type of the atonement the Lord Jesus Christ made for sin when He was on the cross. Now, He is our constant Intercessor, and "to all our prayers and praises, He adds His sweet perfume. And love the censer raises, its odors to consume."
The golden altar was a small, square piece of furniture about the length of a man's arm from the elbow to the tip of his fingers. It measured approximately 18 inches square and 36 inches tall. It was nine or ten inches taller than the other flat surfaces of nearby furniture. It was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, and had a "crown" and horns on the top. Two rings were attached to opposite corners, enabling four priests to carry it so that it always faced upward. The altar was positioned in front of the veil, with the four horns pointing in each direction—east, west, north, and south.
Before it could be used once a year on the Day of Atonement, blood from the sacrifice on the bronze altar had to be applied to each of the horns. This reminds us that all sacrifices were temporary until our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled, once and for all, everything required for us to be accepted by God. Now, from every part of the world, the prayers and praises of the saints are lifted up, and our Great High Priest, with the fragrance of the moral perfections and beauty of His Person, makes the acts and words of worshipers acceptable to God.
The incense on the altar was not burned with a flame but was put on hot coals brought in from the brazen altar, and the heat of the coals released a pleasing scent. The blood placed on the horns of the altar once a year is a reminder to us of the ongoing value of the work of Christ on the cross. The source of heat from the coals came from the fire that consumed the sacrifice. All of our blessings and the source of our worship come from the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That motivates our worship to be focused on the Lord Jesus in every way.
The atonement money, given by those twenty years old and older, signifies a responsibility we have toward God and His people when we are redeemed. The half shekel was worth less than a dollar and was the same for both the rich and the poor, similar to a census tax. We are all equal before God. We do not pay for salvation in any way. However, we do have responsibilities to others to help them see their need for redemption. Our fellowship with God is based solely on our being redeemed. One of the first responses of a new believer is, "How can I help to reach others with the Gospel?" It is a natural response of the newly alive spirit to want to do what it can to please God.
The women's looking glasses (mirrors) were used to make the laver, a basin for cleansing by washing the hands and feet of the priests before they entered the Holy Place. If the shape was square, it would reflect similarly to how the priest saw his image. If the laver was curved, his reflection would be magnified, making any uncleanness more obvious. If the water was still, he would see a reflection of himself and recognize the need to wash. The size and shape are not specified, but it was used for cleansing the hands and feet.
Perhaps it had two parts, an upper part for the hands and a lower part for the feet, so the priests could be carefully cleaned before entering the Tabernacle to worship and serve. After passing the bronze altar where cleansing from guilt was accomplished by the shed blood, the laver was positioned before the door of the Tabernacle. Moral cleansing by the Word of God emphasizes the need to cleanse our ways, not just our nature. Both inward and outward purity are essential when we come before God. What we do (the hands) and where we go (the feet) influence our right to worship. Self-judgment is necessary to prevent our worship, prayers, service, and enjoyment of God from being obstructed.
The anointing oil used for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests was to be made and used solely for that purpose. Some items are designated only for God and holy purposes. Mixing what is for God with human-made purposes is strictly forbidden and can result in being cut off from God's people. The unique incense was not allowed to be copied. Nothing is permitted to be added to anything that belongs to God, especially the work of the Holy Spirit, when God’s people worship in spirit and truth.
The main ingredient of myrrh reminds us of Christ's sufferings. The cinnamon has a sweet scent that teaches us about the sweetness of the Savior that comes from within His person and nature. The calamus (myrtle) comes from the center of what is called "measuring reeds." This speaks of the inner depth of the attitude of the Lord Jesus as it relates to the will of the Father and His own work. Cassia is used for healing, which teaches us about the healing of the soul that only Christ can provide. The olive oil was pressed to extract it from the fruit. The sufferings of Christ were necessary before the Holy Spirit was given. Only priests anointed with this special oil were able to worship in the Tabernacle of God.
The sweet incense placed on the golden altar was made by blending certain ingredients that all worked together to create a unique fragrance. No single ingredient overpowered the others. The stacte, derived from a tree, came out in drops. The sweetness of Christ was reflected in His tears. The onycha released its fragrance when it burned. Who can measure the value of Christ's suffering? Galbanum, on its own, has a calming, soothing effect. The Lord gave us His peace. Frankincense, when burned, not only produces fragrance but also smokes. All of these were combined to fill the air of the Holy Place with aroma, and the priests who served there would carry that particular scent wherever they went.
When we worship the Father in spirit and in truth, a spiritual fragrance accompanies us wherever we go and whatever we do. Anyone who has been in the presence of God in the Holy Place would carry the scent of incense on them. For us to have been in our Lord's presence to worship will leave a spiritual fragrance on us and within us that cannot be denied. Those who were in the room when Mary broke the alabaster box of ointment and poured it on the Lord could not deny they had been there. Sanctity and true holiness extend to days, seasons, people, places, and even objects, as we see in scriptures about things sanctified. How priceless is the fragrance of holiness when God's people worship in the “Holy Place”!