Topical Encyclopedia In the religious practices of ancient Israel, incense held a significant role, symbolizing the prayers and worship of the people ascending to God. However, there are instances in the Hebrew Scriptures where the offering of incense was not accepted by God due to the sinfulness of the people. This rejection underscores the principle that external rituals are insufficient without genuine repentance and righteousness.One of the most poignant examples of this is found in the book of Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah, speaking on behalf of God, addresses the people of Judah and Jerusalem, condemning their hollow religious practices. Despite their meticulous observance of rituals, including the offering of incense, their worship was deemed unacceptable because of their persistent sin and injustice. Isaiah 1:13-15 states: “Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.” This passage highlights that the mere act of offering incense, or any other ritual, is not sufficient to please God if it is not accompanied by a life of obedience and moral integrity. The people's hands were "covered with blood," indicating their involvement in violence and injustice, which rendered their worship unacceptable. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah also speaks to the futility of offering incense when the heart is far from God. In Jeremiah 6:20 , God questions the value of such offerings: “What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” Here, the emphasis is on the disconnect between the external act of worship and the internal state of the worshippers. The incense, no matter how costly or exotic, could not compensate for the lack of true devotion and righteousness. The rejection of incense offerings due to sin is further illustrated in the historical account of King Uzziah. Although he was initially a successful and righteous king, his pride led him to unlawfully enter the temple to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests. As a result, God struck him with leprosy, demonstrating that even a king's offering was unacceptable when performed in disobedience (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). These examples serve as a sobering reminder that God desires worship that is sincere and accompanied by a life that reflects His holiness and justice. The offering of incense, while a significant part of Jewish worship, was ultimately a symbol pointing to the deeper requirement of a heart aligned with God's will. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 1:13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 66:3 Library A More Particular Account of the Way by which this Salvation is to ... The Day of Atonement The Feast at Simon's House "All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ... That the Foundation and Strength of Hope and Faith is Fear. The Conversion of Cornelius. Epistle Lxxv. To Magnus, on Baptizing the Novatians, and those who ... The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the ... The First-Fruits of the Gentiles "Lo, I Come": Exposition Resources Can a Christian burn incense? What does the Bible say about burning incense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org What are the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8? | GotQuestions.org Incense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Incense for God's Service Mixed With Sweet Spices Incense of an Acceptable Sacrifice Incense used in Idolatrous Worship Incense: An Article of Extensive Commerce Incense: Common, not to be offered to God Incense: Compounded by Bezaleel Incense: Designed for Atonement Incense: Formula for Compounding Incense: Korah and his Company Punished for offering Incense: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Incense: Levites had Charge of Incense: Nadab and Abihu Destroyed for offering, With Strange Fire Incense: None But Priest to offer Incense: Offered by Nadab and Abihu in an Unauthorized Manner Incense: Offered by the High Priest in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Incense: Offered in Idolatrous Worship Incense: Offered Morning and Evening Incense: Offered with Fire from off the Altar of Burnt offering Incense: Offered: Morning and Evening Incense: Offered: On the Altar of Gold Incense: Offering of, Allotted to the Priests Incense: Presented by the Wise Men to Jesus Incense: Presented to Christ by the Wise Men Incense: Put on Meat offerings Incense: Symbolical of the Prayers of Saints Incense: The Jews Prayed at Time of offering Incense: The Jews: Not Accepted in offering, on Account of Sin Incense: The Jews: Offered, to Idols on Altars of Brick Incense: The Jews: Punished for offering, to Idols Incense: Uzziah Punished for offering Related Terms Incense-burners (1 Occurrence) |
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