1700. The Highest Piece of Furniture in the Tabernacle
The Highest Piece of Furniture in the Tabernacle
"A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same" (Exo_30:2).
The Altar of Incense was the highest piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. It was two cubits in height. There are many things suggested in this statement.
1. We have here the exaltation of Christ. He not only became flesh, and was found in fashion as a man, but after He had humbled Himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross, He was highly exalted, and given a name that is above every name.
The Lord Jesus Christ has ascended up above all principalities and powers. God hath set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly places, and proclaimed Him to be the head over all things, to His Church.
2. The height of the Altar of Incense tells us that prayer is the highest of all graces. Prayer is a grace that climaxes everything else in the believer's life. This is seen most vividly in Eph_6:14-18. God is writing to us about the Christian's armor, He is telling us how He wants us to be equipped, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against hosts of wicked spirits, in the Heavenlies. Step by step the armor is displayed.
We are to have our loins girt about with truth;
We are to have on the breastplate of righteousness;
Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace,
We are to take the shield of faith;
We are also to take the helmet of salvation;
We are to take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Then comes the climax–
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
In this armor prayer towers above everything else, just as the Altar of Incense towered above the other Tabernacle furniture.
Prayer reaches nearest to God. The Word of God says: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Heb_10:22). Again, the Word of God says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Heb_4:16). Thank God, that the Altar of Incense lifts us up to God. The very word "altar" means "high," and "lifted up," this is particularly true of the Altar of Incense.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR