What is the context?
This smaller altar is made from acacia wood covered with gold, with horns, a molding, rings and carrying poles. It stands in front of the veil, facing the place of meeting above the ark’s mercy seat. Its appointed use differs from the bronze altar in the courtyard.
Aaron burns fragrant incense when tending the lamps in the morning and at twilight. No unauthorized incense, animal offering, grain offering or drink offering is to be presented on it. Its horns do receive blood at the yearly atonement. The distinction concerns its appointed service, with its own requirement for purification.
The instructions join regular worship with approach to the God who meets His people. The altar is most holy, and its use is governed by His command.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian commentators commonly connect the incense with prayer and acceptance before God. Wesley understands the altar as pointing toward Christ’s intercession and the prayers of His people. Calvin likewise emphasizes worship pleasing to God and the connection between prayer and atonement. Psalm 141:1–4 itself compares prayer to incense while asking God to guard the worshiper’s words and heart.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Luke 1:5–17 places the praying congregation at the hour when Zechariah offers incense. There the angel announces John’s birth and his work of preparing a people for the Lord. The continuing service of Israel’s sanctuary becomes part of the Gospel’s account of God preparing for the coming of Jesus.
The greater priestly ministry is explained in Hebrews 7:23–28: Jesus lives permanently to intercede for those who approach God through Him, on the basis of His once-for-all offering. The incense’s association with prayer belongs within that larger purpose of bringing people near to God through His Son.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.