Topical Bible: Idolatry: Other Customs of Incense Burned on Altars

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In the biblical context, idolatry is the worship of idols or images as gods, and it is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. One of the practices associated with idolatry in ancient times was the burning of incense on altars dedicated to false gods. This practice is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, highlighting its prevalence and the spiritual dangers it posed to the Israelites.

Biblical References and Context

The burning of incense was a common ritual in ancient Near Eastern religious practices, including those of the Israelites. However, when performed in the context of idolatry, it was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of graven images (Exodus 20:3-4). The Israelites were specifically instructed to worship Yahweh alone and to offer incense only in the prescribed manner within the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 30:7-9).

Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites frequently fell into the practice of burning incense on altars dedicated to foreign gods. This is evident in several passages where the prophets rebuke the people for their idolatrous practices. For instance, in 2 Kings 22:17, God declares through the prophet, "Because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, provoking Me to anger with all the works of their hands, My wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched."

Jeremiah also speaks against this practice, highlighting the people's stubbornness and disobedience. In Jeremiah 44:3-5, the prophet recounts, "Because of the evil they have done to provoke Me to anger by burning incense and worshiping other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew, I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.' But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness and stop burning incense to other gods."

Spiritual Implications

The act of burning incense on altars to false gods was not merely a cultural or religious misstep; it was a profound spiritual betrayal. It symbolized a turning away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh and an embrace of pagan practices that were abominable in His sight. The use of incense in idolatrous worship was often associated with other sinful practices, including immorality and injustice, which further compounded the people's guilt.

The prophets consistently warned that such idolatry would lead to divine judgment. The burning of incense to idols was a symptom of a deeper spiritual malaise—a heart that had turned away from God. Isaiah 65:3-4 describes the people as "a people who continually provoke Me to My face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat."

Contrast with True Worship

In contrast to the idolatrous use of incense, the Bible presents a picture of true worship that is pleasing to God. Incense, when used according to God's instructions, was a symbol of prayer and devotion. Psalm 141:2 expresses this beautifully: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

The New Testament continues this theme, with incense symbolizing the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 describes the heavenly scene where the twenty-four elders hold "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Conclusion

The practice of burning incense on altars to false gods serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of maintaining pure worship. The biblical narrative consistently calls God's people to reject idolatry in all its forms and to offer their worship solely to the one true God, in spirit and in truth.

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1 Kings 12:33
So he offered on the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast to the children of Israel: and he offered on the altar, and burnt incense.
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2 Chronicles 30:14
And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
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2 Chronicles 34:25
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out on this place, and shall not be quenched.
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Isaiah 65:3
A people that provokes me to anger continually to my face; that sacrifices in gardens, and burns incense on altars of brick;
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Jeremiah 1:16
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
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Jeremiah 11:12,17
Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry to the gods to whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
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Jeremiah 44:3
Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, you, nor your fathers.
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Jeremiah 48:35
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, said the LORD, him that offers in the high places, and him that burns incense to his gods.
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Ezekiel 16:18
And took your broidered garments, and covered them: and you have set my oil and my incense before them.
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Ezekiel 23:41
And sat on a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon you have set my incense and my oil.
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Hosea 11:2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
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Library

The Book of the Law
... Me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that ... the destruction of every vestige
of idolatry that remained ... inhabitants of the land followed the customs of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

The Preacher as a Patriot.
... with the towns and rivers, the customs and history of ... Idolatry in Israel was never
due to theoretic changes of ... if ever, been bestowed on any other country or ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iii the preacher as.htm

Reform
... with the false gods of this world's idolatry. ... when Episcopacy, Independency, Wesleyanism,
and every other system, must ... to be burned, then sinful customs are to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/reform.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... The apostle too tells us that covetousness is idolatry, [3736] and ... women you see
one less neat than the other, you take ... for the several customs here mentioned. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... of heathen monarchs for their pride, idolatry, and profanation ... His Hebrew, on the
other hand, agrees in ... historical relations, manners, and customs belonging to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... the flood, or that in Sodom were burned with fire ... the throne of grace is distinguished
from other thrones by ... is said, that from the altar of incense that stood ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... prophets, their struggle against Phonician idolatry, the story of ... They retained the
customs and prejudices they had ... elements existed alongside each other for a ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm