What is the meaning of Exodus 39:38? the gold altar - Exodus 39:38 simply names the “gold altar”—the altar of incense already described in Exodus 30:1-10. Crafted of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, it stood “before the veil that is before the ark of the testimony” (Exodus 40:5). - The altar’s daily function was the burning of sweet incense, symbolizing prayer rising continually to God; compare Psalm 141:2, “May my prayer be set before You like incense,” and Revelation 8:3-4, where heavenly incense mingles with “the prayers of all the saints.” - Hebrews 9:3-4 recalls this altar in the tabernacle layout, linking it to the ministry of Christ, our great High Priest who “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). - By including the gold altar in the inventory, Exodus 39:38 affirms that every piece God commanded had been fashioned exactly as instructed—a testimony to Israel’s obedience and God’s faithfulness. the anointing oil - Next comes “the anointing oil.” Exodus 30:22-33 details its sacred recipe of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. “This will be My holy anointing oil for the generations to come” (v. 31). - Moses used it to consecrate the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests (Exodus 40:9-15). First Samuel 16:13 later shows Samuel anointing David, a picture fulfilled when “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38). - For believers today, the oil points to the Spirit who “anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22), equipping us for service just as the priests were set apart. the fragrant incense - Exodus 39:38 also lists “the fragrant incense.” Its blend of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:34-38) was unique to the sanctuary; any attempt to duplicate it for personal use was forbidden. - Incense was burned morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8) so that a continual aroma filled the holy place, foreshadowing ceaseless worship. Luke 1:9-10 pictures Zechariah offering incense while “the whole multitude of the people were praying outside,” linking incense and intercession. - Revelation 5:8 explains the symbolism: “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Christ’s work makes our prayers acceptable, turning ordinary petitions into a sweet fragrance before God. the curtain for the entrance to the tent - Finally, Exodus 39:38 mentions “the curtain for the entrance to the tent,” the embroidered screen that hung at the east side of the tabernacle courtyard (Exodus 26:36-37). Made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn with fine linen, it marked the single doorway into God’s dwelling. - This entrance underscores exclusivity and invitation: only one way in, yet open to any who approached with the appointed sacrifice. Jesus echoes the image when He declares, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). - Hebrews 10:19-20 applies the picture to the new covenant: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way… through the curtain, that is, His body.” The tabernacle screen therefore anticipates the torn veil at the cross, declaring full access to God through Christ alone. summary Exodus 39:38 is more than an inventory line. The gold altar, anointing oil, fragrant incense, and entrance curtain were real objects, crafted exactly as God commanded, confirming Israel’s obedience. Yet each piece also points forward: the altar to Christ’s intercession, the oil to the Spirit’s consecrating presence, the incense to unceasing prayer, and the curtain to the exclusive yet open way into God’s presence accomplished by Jesus. Together they invite us to faithful worship, confident prayer, and wholehearted devotion, assured that every detail of God’s plan is carried out with precision and purpose. |
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