Ex. 37:1-9 its all about God.

It's a wood. The trees on a hill are just stayed there like invalid. But God selected a bush to come down and talk to his servant Moses. There came Moses. The staff in Moses' hand thought, "this is a living wood. That is why God is using it". Then it heard that God was saying to Moses to throw down your staff. Moses did. The staff turned into serpent. God said to Moses again, "take it". The staff turned into normal. The staff is very happy. Moses lifted it in Egypt here came plagues. He lifted and they ceased. "Why are you praying Moses? Stretch your staff and divide the sea." God said to Moses. Moses obeyed and the sea divided. The staff understood that it's not about living or dead. It's all about God. He choses and it works.

One day God called Moses and told him to make an Ark with acasia wood. Now it's a wood again. 

After a long time a priest who is carrying the ark thought that the Jordan will give way to them like Red Sea gave way to them. He thought that Joshua will use the same principle of stretching the wood. So he hold the wood tight that is on his shoulders. He stood in the front row. When they reached Jordan, Joshua told them to touch the river with your feet. "Did I hear right?" the priest asked himself. Yes he heard right. He touched the river and it was stopped. The priests stayed there until the whole nation crossed the river. This priest wondered, he asked his friend who is carrying along with him "hey it seems our feet has some power". His friend is quiet. Joshua called 12 people. " bring 12 stones from the river and pile them here." Some one asked Joshua, " why sir?" Joshua replied, "the same question will be asked by your sons. Then tell them that how the Jordan was stopped"

They went to bring the stones. Joshua said "bring the stones from the place where the priests' feet are." The young priest thought "certainly something is there in our feet". When these priests carrying the ark came to the bank, the river turned to the previous state. "Yes, there is something in our feet" the priest told to himself again. Next day morning he went to the river alone. The river is flowing well. He looked around. He slowly touched the water with his feet. Nothing happened. He pushed a bit. Nothing seems to be happening. He pushed his feet into the water a little hard. Now he slipped and about to fall down. But someone hold his hand. It was Joshua. Joshua looked at him and said, "there is nothing in your feet. It was presence of God that makes the difference. The power of the presence of God is there in the ark. It can flow through your body. It's not living wood or dead staff. It's not the man or feet. It's all about God"

Ex.34:30

The Power and Glory of God

When the power and the nature of God takes any visible form, people call it glory of God.

The power of God and nature of God are released into this realm through the door of His authority. The power of God and glory of God are not same thing. Power is an invisible thing and glory is a visible thing. 

As far as man is concerned, his power is released:

1. Over the sin and (Matt. 9)

2. Over the demons (Matt. 8)

And people glorified The Lord seeing it. 

His nature was expressed:

1. On the cross (centurion found His nature by earth quake and darkness etc.)

2. On the hill (bible says that they saw the glory of God on the hill of transfiguration)

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.