Commentary - Exodus 37:25-29

Bird's-eye view

In this section of Exodus, we are not receiving the initial blueprints for the tabernacle, but rather the inspired record of their faithful execution. The Spirit of God had descended upon Bezalel and Aholiab, and what God had commanded Moses on the mountain is now being diligently constructed on the plain. This is a matter of obedient worship from start to finish. The specific item here is the altar of incense, a crucial piece of furniture that stood in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated men from the fiery presence of God in the Holy of Holies. Its function, materials, and placement are all thick with theological meaning. It represents the prayers of God's people, made acceptable through priestly mediation, ascending as a sweet-smelling aroma to the throne of God. This is not just about ancient ritual; it is a picture of Christ's ongoing intercession for us and the promise that our prayers, offered in His name, are a central part of the worship God receives from His people.

The construction itself, with its precise dimensions, acacia wood core, and pure gold overlay, speaks to the meeting of heaven and earth. The humble, earthy wood is completely encased in the glory and purity of gold, a picture of humanity glorified and made fit for God's presence. The entire project, from the altar itself to the anointing oil and the specially compounded incense, is done according to divine specification. This reminds us that true worship is never a man-made invention; it is always a response to God's gracious revelation. We come to God on His terms, not ours, and He has made prayer the very atmosphere of His house.

Outline

Context In Exodus

Exodus 37 is part of the larger section (chapters 35-40) that details the actual construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. This follows the rebellion of the golden calf in chapter 32 and the subsequent covenant renewal in chapter 34. The fact that the book does not end with the giving of the law, but with the establishment of the tabernacle, is crucial. God's purpose was not simply to give Israel a rulebook, but to dwell in their midst. These chapters are the tangible result of the people's willing-hearted offerings (Ex 35:20-29) and the Spirit-empowered craftsmanship of Bezalel (Ex 35:30-35). This passage, therefore, sits as a demonstration of restored fellowship and obedient worship. The instructions for this very altar were given back in chapter 30, but the record of its making here shows that the people have turned from their idolatry and are now rightly directing their skills and resources toward the worship of the one true God, according to His precise commands.

Key Issues

The Fragrance of Prayer

We must not read these chapters as though they were merely an ancient hardware store inventory. Every detail is preaching the gospel. The altar of incense stood directly before the veil, and the priest would offer incense on it every morning and every evening, at the same time the daily sacrifices were made on the bronze altar outside. The two altars were linked. The blood of the atonement consecrated the altar of incense (Ex 30:10), teaching us that prayer is only acceptable to God on the basis of a blood sacrifice. You cannot approach God without atonement.

The incense itself, a fragrant aroma, is explicitly identified in Scripture as representing the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8; 8:3-4). This is a profound encouragement. Our prayers, weak and faltering as they often are, are received by God as a pleasing, sweet-smelling savor. They are not an intrusion or a nuisance. When offered in faith, on the basis of Christ's finished work, they are a central part of the worship He desires and receives. The fire for the incense was to be taken from the altar of sacrifice (Lev 16:12), meaning our prayers must be kindled by the fire of the atonement. Cold, self-righteous prayers have no fragrance. But prayers that rise from a heart warmed by the gospel are a delight to God.

Verse by Verse Commentary

25 Then he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit long and a cubit wide, square, and two cubits high; its horns were of one piece with it.

The pronoun "he" refers to Bezalel, the man God filled with His Spirit for this very task. True worship is always a work of the Holy Spirit. The foundation of the altar is acacia wood, a common desert wood, sturdy and durable. This represents the stuff of earth, the stuff of humanity. Its dimensions are small and precise, a perfect square. This speaks of divine order and perfection. The height, two cubits, made it accessible to the priest who served there. The horns, protruding from the four corners, were not decorative. They were the place where the blood of the sin offering was applied once a year on the Day of Atonement. The horns represent power and authority, and their anointing with blood signifies that the power of prayer is rooted entirely in the substitutionary death of the sacrifice.

26 He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and he made a gold molding for it all around.

The humble acacia wood was not visible in the final product. It was completely encased, inside and out, with pure gold. Gold in Scripture consistently represents that which is divine, pure, and glorious. So what we have here is a picture of humanity (acacia wood) completely covered and glorified by the divine nature (pure gold). This is what happens to us in Christ. We are "in Christ," and when God the Father looks at us, He sees the perfect righteousness and glory of His Son. The molding, or crown, of gold around the top suggests royalty and honor. Prayer is not the groveling of slaves, but the privileged access of royal children coming before their Father, the King.

27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding, on its two sides, on opposite sides, as holders for poles with which to carry it.

The tabernacle was the sanctuary for a people on the move. It was a pilgrim church. None of the furniture was designed to be permanently fixed until they reached the promised land. The rings and poles were a constant reminder that the people of God are sojourners. God's presence was not tied to a geographical location, but to His covenant people. Where they went, He went. This is a picture of the Christian life. We have not yet reached our final resting place, and our worship, our prayer life, must travel with us through the wilderness of this world. We are to pray without ceasing, in every circumstance, as we journey toward the new Jerusalem.

28 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Even the instruments for carrying the altar receive the same treatment. The acacia wood provides the strength and structure, but it is the gold that makes it fit for holy service. This is a wonderful picture of Christian service. Our natural gifts and abilities, our humanity, are the "wood." But they are not fit to serve the living God until they are consecrated, covered, and glorified by the touch of the divine. It is not our strength that carries the ministry of prayer, but our strength sanctified and made holy by God Himself.

29 And he made the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense of spices, the work of a perfumer.

Two final items are mentioned, both essential for the altar's function. The holy anointing oil was used to consecrate the altar, setting it apart as holy to the Lord. Without this anointing, it was just a piece of furniture. This points to the work of the Holy Spirit, who sets us apart and makes our prayers holy. The incense itself was a specific, unique blend of spices, made according to God's own recipe (Ex 30:34-38). It was forbidden to replicate this fragrance for common use; it was utterly holy. This tells us that our prayers are not to be common or profane, but a unique communion with God, guided by His Word. The fact that it was the "work of a perfumer" shows that skill and care were required. Our prayer life should not be careless or haphazard, but something we cultivate with skill and dedication, learning how to blend the "spices" of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication into a fragrant offering to God.

Application

The altar of incense is not a relic for a museum; it is a living sermon for the church today. First, it teaches us the absolute necessity of prayer. An altar without a fire is a useless block. A church without fervent, constant prayer is just a social club with a steeple. Prayer is not an optional extra for the "spiritual" ones; it is the very breath of the church's life, the sweet aroma of our fellowship with God.

Second, it teaches us the basis of prayer. Our prayers are not heard because we are eloquent, or sincere, or desperate. They are heard for one reason: the blood of Jesus Christ has been sprinkled on the horns of the altar. He is our great High Priest, and He takes our fumbling prayers, mingles them with the incense of His own perfect intercession, and presents them to the Father. We can therefore approach the throne with boldness, not because of who we are, but because our prayers are covered in the gold of His righteousness.

Finally, this passage is a call to worshipful work. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit not to preach or prophesy, but to be a master craftsman. The work of his hands was an act of worship. Whether we are building a cabinet, writing a piece of software, or changing a diaper, if we do it with all our might, according to the pattern God has given us, for His glory, then our work becomes a fragrant offering. All of life, for the believer, can be lived before the altar of incense, a continual offering of prayer and praise to the God who has condescended to dwell among us.