EXODUS 30 THE FRAGRANCE OF HOLINESS 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 was 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. 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 for us 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 was nine or ten inches higher than all the other flat surfaces of other furniture; it was made of acacia wood plated with gold; a "crown" and horns were on the top of the altar. The position of the golden altar was in front of the veil with the four horns pointing to in each direction - east, west, north, south. From every part of the world the prayers and praises of the saints are raised and our Great High Priest with the fragrance of the moral perfections and beauty of His Person, makes the acts and words of worshippers 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 the pleasing scent. The blood placed on the horns of the altar once a year is a reminder to us of the on-going 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, comes from the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That motivates our worship to be focused on the Lord Jesus in every way.
Atonement money that was given by those twenty years old and upward, indicate there is a responsibility we have toward God and His people when we are redeemed. We do not pay for salvation in any way. However, we do have obligations to others to see they come to understand their need of redemption. That fellowship we have with God is based only on the fact that we have been redeemed ourselves. 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 one can to please God.
The looking glasses (mirrors) of the women were brought to make the laver, a basin for the cleansing by washing the hands and feet of the priests before they entered the Holy Place. If the shape was square it would give a similar reflection to that of the priest as he looked at his image. If the laver was curved his reflection would be magnified and any uncleanness would appear more obvious. If the water was still, he would see a reflection of himself and would face the need of washing. The size and shape is not given, but it was for the cleansing of both 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 going into the Tabernacle to worship and serve. After passing the brazen altar where there was cleansing from guilt by the shed blood, the laver was in place before the door of the Tabernacle. Moral cleansing by the Word of God speaks of the need for cleansing of our ways, not just our nature. What we do (the hands) and where we go (the feet) effect our right to worship. Self-judgment is needed to keep our worship, prayers, service and enjoyment of God from being hindered.
The anointing oil for the Tabernacle, the furniture and the priests were to be made and used only for that purpose. Some things are for God only and for holy purposes only. To mix that which is for God with that for man-made purposes is totally forbidden to the extent of being cut off from God's people. The main ingredient of myrrh reminds us of the sufferings of Christ. The cinnamon has a sweet scent that teaches us of the sweetness of the Savior that comes from within His Person and nature. Calamus (myrtle) comes from the center of what is called "measuring reeds." This speaks of the inner and deepness of the attitude of the Lord Jesus as they relate to the will of the Father and His own work. Cassia is used for healing which teaches us of the healing of the soul that Christ alone can give. The olive oil was pressed to bring it out of 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 came from the blending of certain ingredients, that all worked together to make an unusual fragrance. One did not overpower the others. The stacte, from within a tree came out in drops. The sweetness of Christ was seen in His tears. The onycha gave off its fragrance when it burned. Who can measure the value of the suffering of Christ? Galbanum by itself has a calming, soothing effect. The Lord gave us His peace. Frankincense when burned, not only gives off fragrance but smokes when it is burned. All of these were used together not only to permeate the air in the Holy Place, but the priests who ministered there would bear that particular fragrance wherever they went. When we worship the Father in spirit and in truth, there is a spiritual fragrance that attends us wherever we go and whatever we do. How valuable is the fragrance of holiness when God's people worship in the “Holy Place.”