Ex. 30:1-5, 7 Altar of Incense

Practical prayer

Verse 1 "make"

Prayer is like composing something. It is composed of:

• Action

God is looking for the makers of altar of incense. In 2004 me and my director went into our church. There was an old man of about 55 years. We asked him who is he. He said he is from a nearest village. Came to give the Lord some offering. He is from high caste who doesnt believe in the Lord. But this made us wonder because he not only believed in the Lord but also came from a distance to give the Lord a gift. We said, ok. He said, "first i want to dance and then i will give the gift." We are a bit wondered but said yes. He danced while singing himself and he also cried. I could see his heart. Now dance is an action. When he came he did not go to internet and searched for "how to dance". This action came out of gratitude. 

• Form

After he finishes his dance came to us with something. It was folded in a cloth. I dont know what it is. When he gave he put two hands together and gave us like as if he is lifting something. The way he gave is like his hand was downward. Usually people who take put hands under and the people who give will have their hand on top. But this man put his hands folded and lifted as an offering. This form came out of attitude. 

I. Purpose

Purpose of this golden altar is to remind what was offered on the brazen altar. We suffer like people who never paid, if we do not remind the Lord that we were paid. The Lord Jesus is now at this altar and has been interceding for us. 

Smith Wigglesworth healed many people and raised people from the dead. But his wife and son died. His daughter suffered deafness for life long. He had kidney problem and sciatica. I believe that he was fully paid but he was giving to people. So he was losing something. It was like you gave your food for someone and then you need to pay for your food again or take (claim) from the food which was already paid. cook for yourself now. 

There are some people raising dead in Mozambique, in the Heidi's ministry. I heard that someone raised three people from dead and he lost three people in the family. It was about seven years back and i am not sure if i put here it right. Anyway i want to share some thing and this is just my thought that the altar of incense will help. We need to know that we need to pay again if we lose something for others. What do i mean to pay. Its like claim from what was already paid. The purpose of the altar which was inside is to remind what was paid on the altar which was outside. 

Jesus fasted forty days but he still needed to go to the altar of incense every morning because he has been giving away. He said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Lk. 8:46. Since he paid his power for someone he needs to go back again and refill it. He did go and refilled it every day. 

II. Patience and Perseverance

"acacia wood"

The altar of incense is made of acacia wood. Acacia wood is named for its "durability and incorruptibility". Prayer needs to have durability (patience) and incorruptibility (perseverance). Have you ever stand in a long Que? Need patience right? Did some one stamp on your leg while you are patiently waiting in Que? Need perseverance right? These two qualities are essential in a practical prayer.

Verse 2. "square"

A ransom is always equal to anyone, either poor or rich. They got pay equal. 

III. Power

Verse 3. "Horns"
Horns are symbolic for power or authority (Dan. 8:8). Prayer gives us authority or power. When disciples could not cast out a demon, Jesus told them that they need to be in prayer (Mk. 9:29).

IV. Peace

"pure gold"
In tabernacle I have seen most of the time, wherever the gold is used, it was used to hold something. Holding together or holding that it may not fall, or holding two things together that they might not divide. Holding something within etc. So it sounds me Peace. 

V. Prolonged

Verse 4. "rings"
Rings have no ends. When a prayer is prolonged the power is more. Guess who gets more power: the guy who fasted 40 days in a row or the guy who fasted 52 days in a year? The guy who fasted 52 days has fasted a day in a week.

VI. Place

"Poles"
Prayer needs to be carried. The Altar of incense was placed in a particular place. Its not because that place was holy but place is sanctified because it needs to be placed. That particular place is holy because of the things that are placed there.

VII. Peace

Verse 5 "gold"

Every time that gold is used in the tabernacle, it was used to hold something. This is peace in prayer. 

Verse 7. "Sweet incense"
Prayer is also composed of words. David said that he prepares his prayer for the morning. (Ps. 5:3). When Zechariah was giving incense people were praying outside. Luke 1:9-10 (also see Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:1-4). Incense is symbolic for prayer. Sweet incense is a sweet prayer. When you are his friend, he takes your “words” sweet. Pro. 27:9, If you are a man who speak kind words to people, he takes your “words” holy. Pro. 15:26.