An idol is very much like Brer Rabbit’s Tar Baby.   It will not speak, or move, or act, but its refusal to speak, move, or act causes no end of trouble as it draws us in and catches us fast.  We engage it, we hate it, we strike out and it traps us.  It cannot give, but it can certainly take.  The Psalmist notes this poignantly.

But their idols are silver and gold,
    made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
    noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel,
    feet, but cannot walk,
    nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:4-9

And Isaiah mocks the futility of idolatry, writing,

To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
    and compare me, that we may be alike?
Those who lavish gold from the purse,
    and weigh out silver in the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
    then they fall down and worship!
They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,
    they set it in its place, and it stands there;
    it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
    or save him from his trouble.

Isaiah 46:4-7

The Tar Baby can’t act or interact, but it puts Brer Rabbit in mortal danger from his nemesis, Brer Fox.  An idol can’t save, but it will wear you out.  And wear you down.   It cannot stretch out its arm to save.  Its ears cannot hear your prayers.  And its nose cannot smell the aroma of your offerings.

And here is a great irony of idolatry.  The idol with a nose can’t smell, but the God without a nose, delights in the pleasing aroma of his people’s prayer and worship.  Worship is never just cerebral.  The worship of the Tabernacle was a complete sensory experience.   Every sense is engaged.  Tabernacle worship was visually stunning, audibly overwhelming, and a culinary feast for the priests.   And hanging in the air is the pleasing aroma of seasoned sacrifices, anointed priests, and offerings of incense.

In Exodus 30, the Lord concludes instructions for the furnishings and ministry of the Tabernacle.  Often this passage is viewed as an appendix of leftover instructions.   Yet these final instructions include aspects of Tabernacle ministry that produce a pleasing aroma to the Lord.   An aroma from the altar of incense that pictures the pleasure of God when his people pray.   Prayer that is dependent upon the sacrifices offered on the altar of burnt offering positioned in the courtyard.

We see this connection between the altar of incense and prayer through passages such as Psalm 141, Luke 1, and Revelation 5 and 8.   And just as the altar of sacrifice points to Christ’s work on the cross, the altar of incense anticipates Christ’s intercessory work at the right hand of the Father.   M. R. DeHaan, noted this powerfully when he wrote.

At the brazen altar Christ died for us, shed His blood, reconciled us to God, and made us forever secure in Him.  But at the golden altar He lives in heaven to intercede for those for whom He has already died, and who are already saved.  The brazen altar speaks of the death of Christ; the golden altar speaks of the living, resurrected, ascended Lord Jesus Christ.  The two altars, therefore, speak of the death and the resurrection, and constitute the full message of the Gospel.

The altar of incense is a sweet altar of prayer, offering up a pleasing aroma to our God.  God delights in the smell of prayer.  It is a pleasing aroma to Him and a great privilege to us.  In the Tabernacle only the priests could offer incense.   But as a priesthood of believers, through the intercessory work of our great High Priest, we have been granted immediate access to the throne room of Almighty God.  We can approach him at any time, day or night for any reason.  The unceasing prayer of God’s people is a pleasing aroma to the Lord.   Yet no privilege is more neglected than fervent, effectual prayer. As smoke rose perpetually from the altar of incense, so we should be equally constant in prayer. 

How does your prayer life smell to God?  Is your prayer as constant as the incense burning on the altar in the Tabernacle?  Are we tending to it morning and evening?   Join us as we examine Exodus 30 and consider what the altar of incense teaches us about prayer.  We meet on the square in Pottsville, right next to historic Potts’ Inn at 10:30 am for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.