Censers

Censers are vessels used for burning incense, a practice deeply rooted in the worship rituals of ancient Israel. The use of censers is primarily associated with the tabernacle and later the temple, where they played a significant role in the sacrificial and worship practices ordained by God. The censer, often made of bronze or gold, was used by priests to carry burning coals from the altar of burnt offering to the altar of incense, where incense was burned as a fragrant offering to the Lord.

The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions regarding the construction and use of censers. In Exodus 30:1-10, God commands Moses to make an altar for burning incense, and the use of censers is implied in the ritual practices associated with this altar. The censers were to be used exclusively for sacred purposes, emphasizing the holiness required in approaching God.

A notable incident involving censers is found in Numbers 16, where Korah and his followers challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. Each of the 250 rebellious men took a censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting. God's judgment was swift, as fire came out from the Lord and consumed the men, and their censers were hammered into a covering for the altar as a reminder of the consequences of unauthorized worship (Numbers 16:35-40).

Incense

Incense in the Bible is a symbol of prayer and worship, representing the prayers of the saints ascending to God. The composition of the sacred incense is specified in Exodus 30:34-38, where God instructs Moses to make an incense blend of spices, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. This incense was to be considered holy, and its use was restricted to the tabernacle and later the temple.

The burning of incense was a daily ritual performed by the priests. In the morning and evening, the priest would burn incense on the altar of incense, located in the Holy Place before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:7-8). This act symbolized the continual prayers of the people rising before God.

The significance of incense is further highlighted in the New Testament. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are depicted as golden bowls full of incense, illustrating the connection between incense and prayer. Similarly, in Revelation 8:3-4, an angel is seen offering incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God, emphasizing the role of incense as a mediator of prayer.

The use of incense in worship underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and purity. It serves as a reminder of the holiness required in worship and the sweet aroma that true devotion brings before the Lord.