Topical Encyclopedia In the religious practices of ancient Israel, incense played a significant role in both the worship of Yahweh and, regrettably, in the idolatrous practices that the prophets vehemently condemned. The use of incense in idol worship is particularly highlighted in the prophetic literature, where it is associated with apostasy and rebellion against God.The prophet Isaiah provides a vivid depiction of this practice in Isaiah 65:3 , where he records the LORD's lament over the people's idolatry: "These people continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick." This verse underscores the use of incense in conjunction with sacrifices made to false gods, a direct violation of the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel. The mention of "altars of brick" is significant. In the context of Israelite worship, altars were typically constructed of unhewn stones, as commanded in Exodus 20:25 : "Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with cut stones; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it." The use of brick, therefore, symbolizes a departure from the prescribed worship practices and an embrace of pagan customs. The burning of incense on these altars of brick was not merely a cultural or religious misstep; it was a profound act of defiance against the God of Israel. It represented a syncretism that blended the worship of Yahweh with the practices of surrounding nations, which often included the veneration of deities associated with fertility, weather, and war. Jeremiah also addresses this issue, highlighting the people's stubbornness and refusal to heed divine warnings. In Jeremiah 18:15 , the prophet declares, "Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk on byways, on roads not built up." The offering of incense to idols on altars of brick is emblematic of a broader pattern of disobedience and spiritual adultery. It reflects a heart turned away from the true worship of God, seeking instead the allure of foreign gods and the practices associated with them. This idolatry was not only a breach of the first commandment but also a rejection of the identity and calling of Israel as a people set apart for the LORD. The prophets' denunciations of these practices serve as a call to repentance and a return to the pure worship of Yahweh. They remind the faithful of the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the dangers of allowing cultural influences to corrupt the worship that is due to Him alone. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 65:3A people that provokes me to anger continually to my face; that sacrifices in gardens, and burns incense on altars of brick; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Resources Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | 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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