Exo 30 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-10 The altar of incense represented the Son of God in his human nature, and the incense burned thereon typified his pleading for his people. The continual intercession of Christ was represented by the daily burning of incense thereon, morning and evening. Once every year the blood of the atonement was to be applied to it, denoting that the intercession of Christ has all its virtue from his sufferings on earth, and that we need no other sacrifice or intercessor but Christ alone.

‏ Exodus 30

* The altar of incense. (1-10) The ransom of souls. (11-16) The

brazen laver. (17-21) The holy anointing oil, The perfume.

(22-38)

1-10 The altar of incense represented the Son of God in his

human nature, and the incense burned thereon typified his

pleading for his people. The continual intercession of Christ

was represented by the daily burning of incense thereon, morning

and evening. Once every year the blood of the atonement was to

be applied to it, denoting that the intercession of Christ has

all its virtue from his sufferings on earth, and that we need no

other sacrifice or intercessor but Christ alone. 11-16 The tribute was half a shekel, about fifteen pence of our

money. The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less; the

souls of the rich and poor are alike precious, and God is no

respecter of persons, #Ac 10:34; Job 34:19|. In other offerings

men were to give according to their wordly ability; but this,

which was the ransom of the soul, must be alike for all. The

souls of all are of equal value, equally in danger, and all

equally need a ransom. The money raised was to be used in the

service of the tabernacle. Those who have the benefit, must not

grudge the necessary charges of God's public worship. Money

cannot make atonement for the soul, but it may be used for the

honour of Him who has made the atonement, and for the

maintenance of the gospel by which the atonement is applied. 17-21 A large vessel of brass, holding water, was to be set

near the door of the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons must wash

their hands and feet at this laver, every time they went in to

minister. This was to teach them purity in all their services,

and to dread the pollution of sin. They must not only wash and

be made clean, when first made priests, but must wash and be

kept clean, whenever they went to minister. It teaches us daily

to attend upon God, daily to renew our repentance for sin, and

our looking to the blood of Christ for remission; for in many

things we daily offend. 22-38 Directions are here given for making the holy anointing

oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the

tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this

spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight

and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, #So

1:3|, and the good name of Christians is like precious ointment,

#Ec 7:1|. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared

of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very

small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he

offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The

like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep

in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach

us not to profane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself

known. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things,

and to make sport with his word and ordinances. It is most

dangerous and fatal to use professions of the gospel of Christ

to forward wordly interests.