Exodus 30:8
When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.
When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight
This phrase refers to the specific time of day when Aaron, the high priest, is instructed to tend to the lamps of the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle. Twilight, or evening, marks the transition from day to night, symbolizing the light of God amidst darkness. The lampstand, or menorah, is a significant symbol in the Tabernacle, representing God's presence and guidance. The act of setting up the lamps at twilight signifies the continual need for divine illumination and guidance. This practice is a precursor to the New Testament concept of Jesus as the "light of the world" (John 8:12).

he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD
Burning incense is a ritual act symbolizing prayer and worship ascending to God. The incense altar, located in the Holy Place, is a place of intercession, representing the prayers of the people. The perpetual nature of this act underscores the constant need for prayer and communion with God. Incense is often associated with the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8, indicating a continuous offering of worship and intercession. The sweet aroma of the incense is a metaphor for the pleasing nature of sincere worship to God.

for the generations to come
This phrase emphasizes the enduring nature of the commandment, indicating that the practice is not just for Aaron's time but for all future generations. It highlights the importance of maintaining a continuous relationship with God through established rituals. This continuity points to the eternal covenant between God and His people, which is fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The perpetual nature of this commandment foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ, who intercedes for believers continually (Hebrews 7:25).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He is responsible for performing the priestly duties, including burning incense.

2. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites. It is where the incense altar is located.

3. The Incense Altar
A sacred place within the Tabernacle where incense is burned as a symbol of prayer and worship ascending to God.

4. Twilight
The time of day when Aaron is instructed to set up the lamps and burn incense, symbolizing the transition from day to night and the continual presence of God.

5. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who commands the perpetual burning of incense as a sign of His eternal presence and the ongoing prayers of His people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Continual Worship
Just as Aaron was to burn incense perpetually, our worship and prayer should be continual, reflecting a life dedicated to God.

Symbolism of Incense as Prayer
Incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising to God. Our prayers should be sincere and constant, like the incense that burns without ceasing.

Role of the Priesthood
Aaron's role as a priest highlights the importance of intercession. As believers, we are called to be a royal priesthood, interceding for others.

God's Presence in Daily Life
The burning of incense at twilight signifies God's presence throughout all times of the day. We should seek to recognize and honor God's presence in every aspect of our lives.

Generational Faithfulness
The command for perpetual incense burning "throughout your generations" emphasizes the importance of passing down faith and worship practices to future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Aaron as a high priest relate to the role of Jesus as our High Priest in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can we incorporate the principle of "perpetual incense" into our daily prayer life?

3. How does the symbolism of incense as prayer challenge or encourage you in your personal prayer habits?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that our faith and worship practices are passed down to future generations?

5. How can recognizing God's presence at all times, like the burning of incense at twilight, impact our daily decisions and interactions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 16:12-13
This passage describes the Day of Atonement, where incense is used to cover the mercy seat, symbolizing the prayers of the people and the presence of God.

Revelation 8:3-4
In the New Testament, incense is associated with the prayers of the saints, showing continuity in the symbolism of incense as prayer.

Psalm 141:2
The psalmist likens his prayer to incense, reinforcing the idea of prayer as a fragrant offering to God.
IncenseA. Maclaren, D. D.Exodus 30:8
Incense and LightSpurgeon, Charles HaddonExodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseD. R. Jenkins.Exodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseR. Newton, D. D.Exodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseBiblical MuseumExodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseC. Simeon, M. A.Exodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseE. E. Atwater.Exodus 30:8
The Altar of IncenseJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11
The Golden Altar and the PerfumeJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11, 34-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Aaron, Aaron's, Burn, Burned, Causing, Continual, Dusk, Evening, Evenings, Generation, Generations, Incense, Lamps, Lighteth, Lights, Perfume, Perpetual, Places, Puts, Regularly, Sets, Smoke, Spices, Sweet-smelling, Throughout, Trims, Twilight
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 30:8

     4933   evening
     5445   potters and pottery

Exodus 30:1-10

     7302   altar

Exodus 30:7-8

     5073   Aaron, priest
     7770   priests, NT tasks

Exodus 30:7-9

     7386   incense

Exodus 30:7-10

     7438   sanctuary

Library
The Altar of Incense
'Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.' --EXODUS xxx. 1. Ceremonies are embodied thoughts. Religious ceremonies are moulded by, and seek to express, the worshipper's conception of his God, and his own relation to Him; his aspirations and his need. Of late years scholars have been busy studying the religions of the more backward races, and explaining rude and repulsive rites by pointing to the often profound and sometimes beautiful ideas underlying them. When that process is applied to Australian
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --I.
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.' --EXODUS xxx. 12. This remarkable provision had a religious intention. Connect it with the tax-money which Peter found in the fish's mouth. I. Its meaning. Try to realise an Israelite's thoughts at the census. 'I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-- (a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --ii.
'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel....'--EXODUS xxx. 15. This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-- I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity. II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." As there is a light of grace in bestowing such incomparably high dignities and excellent gifts on poor sinners, such as, to make them the sons of God who were the children of the devil, and heirs of a kingdom who were heirs of wrath; so there is a depth of wisdom in the Lord's allowance and manner of dispensing his love and grace in this life. For though the love be wonderful, that we should be called the sons of God; yet, as that apostle speaks,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29) ^A Matt. XVII. 24-27. ^a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel? [The law of Moses required from every male of twenty years and upward the payment of a tax of half a shekel for the support of the temple (Ex. xxx. 12-16; II. Chron. xxiv. 5, 6). This tax was collected annually. We are told that a dispute existed between the Pharisees and Sadducees as to whether the payment
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the Way, the Forbidding of Him who could not Follow with the Disciples, and The
Now that the Lord's retreat in the utmost borders of the land, at Cæsarea Philippi, was known to the Scribes, and that He was again surrounded and followed by the multitude, there could be no further object in His retirement. Indeed, the time was coming that He should meet that for which He had been, and was still, preparing the minds of His disciples - His Decease at Jerusalem. Accordingly, we find Him once more with His disciples in Galilee - not to abide there, [3743] nor to traverse it
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought.
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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