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Exodus 30 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The ability to come before God is an opportunity, not a right.
Aaron was given the duty of burning sweet incense at morning and at twilight on this smaller altar. To us it may seem like a burden, but it was actually a great honor and privilege. This act was restricted to those who were able to approach God. This passage reminds me of the visual we get in Revelation 8.
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Revelation 8:3-4 NASB
The incense is likened to the prayers of God’s people. The burning of incense along with those prayers go up before God. When we put together the great privilege we have to come before God (through Jesus) as well as the awesome image of our prayers as incense wafting up towards God, we get a powerful image of prayer. Prayer is not a right.
The key is Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Through His atonement, we are allowed to enter into God’s presence. We, as heirs, are not just given the duty of “burning incense” before His heavenly nostrils, but we are gifted with the opportunity. It is something we cannot and should not take for granted.
So, in light of the passage, where are you ignoring the gift of prayer? Where has it become a duty instead of an opportunity? Where do you need to get back to burning sweet incense to the Lord?