And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. Exodus 30:7 See Exodus 27:21.
Incense had a symbolic significance, as is evident from Ps. 141: 2, “Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee.” It became a metaphor for fervent and contrite Prayer. The Rabbis explained that the four letters of the Hebrew word for incense stood for holiness, purity, pity (compassion), and hope—a wonderful summary of the prerequisites of Prayer and of its spiritual results in the lives of men.
(Hertz, Dr. J.H., The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 2nd Ed., Soncino Press, London, 1992, pg 339)
The symbolism of incense was repeated in the Book of Revelation, 8:3
ReplyDeleteAnd another angel came and stood at the Altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne."
Our prayers ascend to Father as the fragrant cloud of incense did anciently. A sweet picture for us.