Introduction
Exodus 30:1-10 gives us a description of the Golden Altar. Seemingly this is out of order as the other furnishings of the holy place were described in Exodus 25. Knowing, however, that the Bible is inspired we are assured that there is good reason for this. As we proceed it will become obvious that the golden altar could not be understood until the brazen altar and its sacrifices were familiar to the reader. In fact the golden altar could not be used until the brazen altar was in service.1. The Golden Altar Described
A. The golden altar stood in the holy place before the veil. It was rather small being a cubit in length and breadth, and two cubits in height. Around the top was a crown or cornice of gold. There was a horn at each top corner. Like the ark and the table of shewbread it was carried by two staves covered with gold. When transported the altar was covered with a cloth of blue over which was a covering of badger skins (Numbers 4:11).
B. The golden altar was not used for sacrifice. Incense was burned on it morning and evening (verses 7-10). The incense was of a special type which we will study in a later lesson (verses 34-38). There was no grate on the golden altar, nor was fire ever kindled thereon. The incense was burned on coals brought from the brazen altar.2. Christ's Intercessory Work
A. The brazen altar was a symbol of Christ's substitutionary death at Calvary (Romans 5:8). It revealed God's judgment on the Son as He suffered in our stead (Isaiah 53:10). The golden altar pictured Christ's present work of intercession. He now lives on high to testify by His presence there that our sin debt is paid. This present ministry of Christ is a major theme of scripture (Romans 5:10, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24, I John 2:1).
B The incense was a type of Christ's intercessory influence on our behalf. Its sweet smell revealed the Father as pleased with Christ's saving work on the cross (Ephesians 5:2). The daily use of the incense showed the Lord Jesus as ever living to carry out this work (Hebrews 7:25).
C. The connection of the incense with the atonement made on the brazen altar is vividly pictured in Numbers 16:46-48. The incense reminded God of the atonement made on the brazen altar and thus judgment was stopped. As Christ ever lives in the presence of the Father so the marks of Calvary are always present as a reminder that our sins are paid for. Even in glory He bears the evidence of His former suffering (Revelation 5:6). This is why the redeemed can never be condemned (Romans 8:34).
D. One way to better grasp the symbolic emphasis of the golden altar is to contrast it with that of the brazen altar. In this way we see how each pointed to a different aspect of Christ's saving work.
(1) Brass in scripture typifies judgment. The brazen altar points to Golgotha where Christ was judged for our sin. The gold of the golden altar revealed Christ in His glorified present state where He lives to intercede for His people.
(2) The brazen altar was outside the tabernacle to typify Christ suffering before the world. The golden altar was inside the holy place.
(3) The brazen altar had a fire and a grate. The golden altar had neither but burned incense with a coal borrowed from the brazen altar. This is an important point. The incense ascended by virtue of a power (coals) borrowed from the brazen altar. This clearly manifests that the success of Christ's present intercession is based on His former death on Calvary (Romans 8:34). Without the brazen altar the golden altar would have been useless. These truths teach us why the use of "strange fire" was such a serious offense (Leviticus 10:1-3). This was to teach acceptance with God by some means other than the cross. Those who teach salvation by any form of human merit are bringing "strange fire" before the Lord.
E. The brazen altar was a place of suffering and sorrow. The golden altar was a place of triumph and joy. How blind are those who think that Christ is still offering Himself as a perpetual sacrifice for our sins. No sacrifice was ever offered on the golden altar. Christ died once and now lives to see that those purchased by His blood will never perish.
F. The brazen altar had no crown. The golden altar had a crown to typify Christ's present glory.3. Our Prayers
A. The golden altar also reminds us of the prayers of God's people. Incense is a type of prayer in scripture (Psalm 141:1-2, Revelation 5:8). The people of Israel prayed as the daily incense ascended (Luke 1:8-10).
B. We are not contradicting ourselves when we see in the incense a type of both Christ's and our own prayers. In fact there is a wonderful harmony. Because of Christ's payment for sin He can come to the Father on our behalf. Likewise through Calvary we have access to God. Both we and our prayers are accepted through Christ's finished work. This is why we pray in Jesus' name (John 16:23). This is the picture painted in Revelation 8:3-5. The incense of Christ's precious name and work ascends with our prayers and causes them to be heard.
C. Just as the incense was burned daily both morning and evening let us then be constant in prayer.================
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