The Altar of Incense, located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, held significant ritual importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel. It was here that incense was burned daily as a symbol of the prayers of the people ascending to God. The incense offering was a sacred duty, reserved for the priests and conducted according to specific divine instructions.

Biblical Instances of Unauthorized Offerings:

1. Nadab and Abihu: The most notable instance of unauthorized offering on the Altar of Incense is found in the account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. In Leviticus 10:1-2 , it is recorded: "Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This severe punishment underscores the holiness of the altar and the necessity of adhering strictly to God's commands.

2. Korah’s Rebellion: Another significant event involving unauthorized offerings is the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. In Numbers 16, these men challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron. As part of the confrontation, Korah and his followers attempted to offer incense. Numbers 16:35 states: "And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense." This incident further illustrates the consequences of presumption and disobedience in the sacred duties associated with the altar.

Theological Significance:

The punishments for unauthorized offerings on the Altar of Incense highlight the sanctity of worship and the necessity of approaching God with reverence and obedience. The altar was not merely a ritualistic object but a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The strict regulations surrounding its use served to teach the Israelites about the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin.

Priestly Responsibility:

The responsibility for offering incense was given exclusively to the Aaronic priesthood, as outlined in Exodus 30:7-8 : "Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come." This duty was not to be taken lightly, and any deviation from God's instructions was met with immediate and severe consequences.

Lessons for Worship:

The incidents of Nadab and Abihu and Korah's followers serve as sobering reminders of the importance of approaching God with the right heart and in accordance with His commands. They illustrate the principle that worship is not merely about external actions but about obedience and reverence for God's holiness. The Altar of Incense, therefore, stands as a testament to the sacredness of worship and the necessity of honoring God's established order.2 Chronicles 26:16-19
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Strange Fire
... only fire which should kindle the incense in our ... wreaths, is fire caught from the
altar of sacrifice. ... The swift, terrible punishment does indeed bear marks of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm

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