The altar of incense was two cubits high, and two is typical of testimony. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). Many of God’s dear children have laid hold of this precious promise, and meeting in God’s appointed way, they remember the Lord in His death and offer up their spiritual sacrifices to God. What a privilege this is! Surely it is far more wonderful than the sweet- smelling incense which was offered on the tabernacle altar, which was only a “shadow of good things to come” (Heb. 10:11For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Hebrews 10:1))!
Christ’s Person
Around this altar of incense, as around the ark and the table, there was to be a crown of gold. How carefully God guards the glory of the person of His Son and how important this is in worship. Our blessed Lord is the one whom “the King delighteth to honor,” (Esther 6:66So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? (Esther 6:6)) and surely every true believer delights to do the same.
Every morning Aaron was to burn sweet incense upon the altar when he trimmed the wicks of the oil lamps, and again every evening when he lighted them. There was to be no strange incense offered, for only what speaks of the loveliness of Christ in His Person and work is a sweet incense to God. The fire by which the incense was to be burned came from the brazen altar. This teaches us that only that which is the fruit of the knowledge of what Christ accomplished at Calvary provides a true foundation of worship. All other attempts are like strange fire, as though to present to God something of man’s efforts which cannot be accepted at all. We are told here that the altar was most holy, and we should always remember this when we come into the presence of God in worship.
Only God’s Standard
Aaron was to make an atonement for the altar once a year, for they must always be reminded that the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. Only the blood of the Perfect Sacrifice, the blessed, spotless, Lamb of God, could obtain “eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)). “The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” (Heb. 7:1919For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Hebrews 7:19)). May we always rejoice in the perfection of Christ’s work!
Numbering the People
Whenever the people were numbered, every one needed to give a half shekel of silver. It must be after the shekel of the sanctuary, showing us it must be according to God’s standard, not man’s. The rich were not to give more nor the poor less, for God is no respecter of persons. All stand on one common platform before Him as sinners, whether rich or poor, and all need redemption. Of course we know that we are “not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19)). All need this, and thank God, salvation is for “whosoever will.” Are you redeemed? Are you resting on Christ’s finished work? There is no other ground of peace with God.
When David on one occasion numbered the people without this redemption money, God sent a plague among them, and it was not until David offered a sacrifice that the plague stopped (1 Chronicles 21). Nor will you ever be “numbered” among the happy throngs in heaven unless you learn the redemption song here. God must remind us over and over again that there is no blessing for fallen man apart from redemption.
Further Meditation
1. What does the number 2 represent in the Bible?
2. What happened when Nadab and Abihu brought fire that didn’t come from the brazen altar?
3. If you haven’t yet read Types and Symbols of Scripture by J. C. Bayley, J. N. Darby, and others you will find it an excellent resource in considering the different symbols that continually appear in a study of the tabernacle.