I was blessed during the ten days it was open to serve in each of the volunteer attendant positions at different times. There were each precious in their own way, but my very favorite was the Altar of Incense Attendant.
Inside the actual Tabernacle, in the Holy Place, there are three articles: The Lampstand, The Table for the Bread of the Presence, and the Altar of Incense. As guests would enter, they would first visit the Lampstand, then the table of the Bread. Then they would come to the Altar. The attendant was responsible for keeping the incense burning and for assisting guests as they entered the Holy of Holies. The incense was kept burning as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Watching the smoke rise serves as a reminder of our prayers as they are offered up to Him. And our worship.
Additionally, the most important duty of the attendant at the Altar of Incense or any of the other stations was to pray over the guests.
As I stood vigil, lighting incense, listening to the wind rage outside, I watched. I watched them come. I glanced into their faces, knowing the message they were hearing in their headsets, knowing that at every station they visited they were hearing how it was a picture of Jesus. It was a picture painted by a loving Father of His Plan to redeem and restore us. Even then. Even when He gave Moses the plans for the construction of the Tabernacle atop Sinai, the Way was already made for us.
And it still makes me weep.
It has always been about restoring us to Himself.
As they came, I would pray for them that each of them would receive everything He had for them in this Experience. I prayed that they would see Him more clearly than ever before.
As they listened to the instructions on the audio, they would choose a stick of incense and approach the Curtain that divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. As I drew it back for them to enter, I saw their faces. And I am weeping in remembrance. That look on their faces as they entered will stay with me for ages. And then. When they came out. After worshiping in His Presence around the Ark of the Covenant. Smiles. Tears. Wonder. Peace.
I loved the smell of the incense and how that smell lingered on my hands and clothing even after I had left that station. Such a beautiful picture of the Aroma of Christ that is on every believer.
The Altar of Incense. One of three Altars in the Bible that were made of wood:
- The Altar of Burnt Offering-covered in bronze, an alloy of two metals made into a new metal, a picture of Jesus, God who became man
- The Altar of Incense-tradition says that the cloak of Elijah was stored inside after he left this earth and that was the very place where Zechariah stood when the angel foretold the birth of John the Baptist, he who would "go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:5-17
- And the Cross--the Altar on which the ultimate Sacrifice was offered.
Our Father is so Faithful. He pursues us unswervingly. He reveals Himself to us in all He has made, all He has done. And it is all for the purpose of restoring us to Himself.
How has He shown Himself Faithful to you? Write it down. Share it with us. Testify for His Glory. Testify so that your family will see clearly their Heritage of Faith. It can be old or new. As long as it brings Him Glory. Grab the button and add it to your post, please, so that others may join us here and hear these testimonies of Faith.
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