Exodus 30

Bible Passage:  Exodus 30

Looking at the plan of the tabernacle that biblereadingcompanion posted three days ago, we can see the position of the altar of incense. This comes in front of the veil that draws the boundary between the holy place and the holy of holies.

Exclusive Perfume

As with all the other equipment in the tabernacle, the altar of incense is meant for holy purposes. Today’s chapter shows us that it is not just the altar that is meant to be set apart, but in fact, the incense that is made according to God’s specifications, is also meant to be an exclusive type of perfume. Such was the importance of exclusivity that God demanded the incense to be made only for Tabernacle usage (cf. Ex 30:35-38).

One way we might wish to think about this is the way we pray to God. Often, the exhortation for us is that we ought to pray for things that are spiritual, and indeed, this is the exhortation that comes from our Lord Jesus as well (cf. Matt 6:31-33). While we will often feel the need to pray for our own needs and desires, let’s heed the encouragement of God to pray for things related to His kingdom. It isn’t an easy thing to do and so often do I find myself lapsing into praying for things related to myself.

However, we do not lose heart. Prayers are better than none, and let’s offer up more pleasant incense, holy to God (Rev 5:8). When we can do this, it will mean that we are setting the prayers apart solely for the things of God.

Ransom Money

Ex 30 also teaches us the lesson on redemption’s price. While many developed countries impose progressive taxation that calls for the rich to pay more than the poor, the ransom money required by God works on a different scheme, and for good reasons too. This is a concept that is thus, wholly different from the taxation laws of the world.

Definitely, the God of Israel is not a business-minded God. He does not demand that His people pay Him taxes, for all things are in fact His. The ransom money is the same price for all Israelites regardless of their wealth status (Ex 30:14-15). To the rich, this was a lesson on humility; to the poor, this was a lesson on equality; to all who gave, this was a lesson on spirituality.

God redeemed their lives from the bondage of Egypt, thus none of the Israelites had any right to murmur. The reminder was that with the salvation grace given by God, all peoples that come under His name are equal. Today, this is the exact same teaching for us in the New Testament (Eph 2:11-13).

Incense and Ransom Money seem to have very little in connections, but for all of us who have been bought by the blood of Christ, it is only our duty to make holy prayers to Him.