◄ Exodus 30:6 ►
Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony--before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony--where I will meet with you.
Study Bible
Place the altar
The Hebrew word for "altar" is "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach), which signifies a place of sacrifice and offering. In the context of the Tabernacle, the altar represents a focal point of worship and atonement. Historically, altars were central to religious practices, serving as a bridge between the divine and the human. This command to "place the altar" underscores the importance of intentionality in worship, reminding believers that God desires a specific order and reverence in how He is approached.

in front of the veil
The "veil" (Hebrew: "פָּרֹכֶת" - parochet) was a significant barrier within the Tabernacle, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil symbolizes the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The placement of the altar "in front of the veil" signifies the necessary preparation and purification required before entering into God's holy presence. It foreshadows the ultimate tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion, which opened direct access to God for believers.

that is before the ark of the Testimony
The "ark of the Testimony" (Hebrew: "אֲרוֹן הָעֵדוּת" - aron ha'edut) housed the tablets of the Law, representing God's covenant with Israel. The positioning of the altar before the ark emphasizes the centrality of God's Word and covenant in worship. It serves as a reminder that true worship is grounded in obedience to God's revealed will and His promises.

before the mercy seat
The "mercy seat" (Hebrew: "כַּפֹּרֶת" - kapporet) was the cover of the ark, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of atonement. This term is rich with theological significance, as it represents God's throne of grace and forgiveness. The altar's placement "before the mercy seat" highlights the necessity of atonement and the grace available through sacrificial offerings, ultimately pointing to Christ's sacrifice as the fulfillment of this atonement.

that is over the Testimony
The "Testimony" refers to the tablets of the Law within the ark. The mercy seat being "over the Testimony" illustrates the supremacy of God's grace over the Law. While the Law reveals sin, the mercy seat provides the means of reconciliation. This imagery is a profound reminder of the balance between justice and mercy in God's character.

where I will meet with you
This phrase encapsulates the heart of the Tabernacle's purpose: communion with God. The Hebrew root "יָעַד" (ya'ad) conveys the idea of an appointed meeting. God's promise to "meet with you" at the altar signifies His desire for relationship and fellowship with His people. It is an invitation to draw near to Him through the prescribed means of worship, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the mediator of the new covenant. This assurance of God's presence is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming that God is accessible and desires to dwell among His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the tabernacle and its furnishings from God.

2. The Altar of Incense
A sacred altar placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, used for burning incense as a symbol of prayer and worship.

3. The Veil
A curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in the tabernacle.

4. The Ark of the Testimony
A sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.

5. The Mercy Seat
The cover of the Ark of the Testimony, symbolizing God's throne and His presence among His people.
Teaching Points
The Significance of Placement
The altar's position before the veil signifies the importance of prayer and worship as a means of approaching God's presence. It reminds us that our prayers are a vital part of our relationship with God.

Symbolism of the Veil
The veil represents the separation between God and humanity due to sin. In Christ, this veil is torn, granting us direct access to God (see Matthew 27:51).

The Mercy Seat as a Meeting Place
The mercy seat symbolizes God's willingness to meet with His people. It points to Jesus as our ultimate mediator, through whom we have access to God's grace and mercy.

The Role of Incense in Worship
Incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to God. This teaches us the importance of maintaining a consistent prayer life as a fragrant offering to the Lord.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the placement of the altar of incense before the veil enhance our understanding of the role of prayer in our spiritual lives?

2. In what ways does the tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion impact our access to God, and how should this influence our daily walk with Him?

3. How can the symbolism of the mercy seat as a meeting place with God encourage us in times of need or uncertainty?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God, similar to the incense on the altar?

5. How do the roles of the altar of incense and the mercy seat in the tabernacle connect to the New Testament teachings on prayer and intercession?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9
Discusses the layout and significance of the tabernacle, including the placement of the altar of incense and its role in the worship practices of Israel.

Revelation 8
Describes the prayers of the saints ascending with incense before God, highlighting the symbolic connection between incense and prayer.

Leviticus 16
Details the Day of Atonement rituals, where the high priest enters the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the importance of the veil and the mercy seat.
Sermons
The Altar of IncenseJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11
The Golden Altar and the PerfumeJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11, 34-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Altar, Ark, Ark-cover, Atonement, Cover, Curtain, Face, Front, Hast, Law, Meet, Mercy, Mercy-seat, Met, Placed, Seat, Testimony, Vail, Veil, Whither
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 30:6

     1680   types
     6616   atonement, in OT
     7306   ark of the covenant

Exodus 30:1-10

     7302   altar

Library
The Altar of Incense
'Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.' --EXODUS xxx. 1. Ceremonies are embodied thoughts. Religious ceremonies are moulded by, and seek to express, the worshipper's conception of his God, and his own relation to Him; his aspirations and his need. Of late years scholars have been busy studying the religions of the more backward races, and explaining rude and repulsive rites by pointing to the often profound and sometimes beautiful ideas underlying them. When that process is applied to Australian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --I.
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.' --EXODUS xxx. 12. This remarkable provision had a religious intention. Connect it with the tax-money which Peter found in the fish's mouth. I. Its meaning. Try to realise an Israelite's thoughts at the census. 'I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-- (a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --ii.
'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel....'--EXODUS xxx. 15. This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-- I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity. II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." As there is a light of grace in bestowing such incomparably high dignities and excellent gifts on poor sinners, such as, to make them the sons of God who were the children of the devil, and heirs of a kingdom who were heirs of wrath; so there is a depth of wisdom in the Lord's allowance and manner of dispensing his love and grace in this life. For though the love be wonderful, that we should be called the sons of God; yet, as that apostle speaks, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29) ^A Matt. XVII. 24-27. ^a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel? [The law of Moses required from every male of twenty years and upward the payment of a tax of half a shekel for the support of the temple (Ex. xxx. 12-16; II. Chron. xxiv. 5, 6). This tax was collected annually. We are told that a dispute existed between the Pharisees and Sadducees as to whether the payment …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the Way, the Forbidding of Him who could not Follow with the Disciples, and The
Now that the Lord's retreat in the utmost borders of the land, at Cæsarea Philippi, was known to the Scribes, and that He was again surrounded and followed by the multitude, there could be no further object in His retirement. Indeed, the time was coming that He should meet that for which He had been, and was still, preparing the minds of His disciples - His Decease at Jerusalem. Accordingly, we find Him once more with His disciples in Galilee - not to abide there, [3743] nor to traverse it …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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