Skip to main content

Exodus-30

The Costly Incense: A Devotional Study on Exodus 30​

Introduction​

Exodus 30 records the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the making of the incense that was to be used in the tabernacle. Although the recipe for the incense may seem quaint and irrelevant today, this passage holds deep spiritual truths and insight into our relationship with God.

Section 1: The Incense (Exodus 30:1-10)​

Devotional Thought: God provided Moses with specific instructions on how to make the incense. The recipe required a mixture of fragrances, which symbolically represented the complexity of our relationship with God. Just as the incense required careful measurement and attention, our relationship with God requires precision and intentionality. Today, consider how we can approach our relationship with God with the same level of care and reverence.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you approach your relationship with God with precision and intentionality?
  • In what ways can you add more reverence and care to your relationship with God?

Section 2: The Census (Exodus 30:11-16)​

Devotional Thought: God also instructed Moses to count the Israelites, and charge a ransom from each person. This ransom was used to cover the cost of the incense and to symbolize the high price of sin. Consider the costly price of our salvation and the significance of Christ's sacrifice.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you view the high cost of salvation in Christ?
  • In what ways can you deepen your appreciation for the price paid for your salvation?

Section 3: The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:17-21)​

Devotional Thought: God commanded Moses to place the incense altar in the tabernacle, symbolizing the importance of our prayers and our intimate relationship with God. Today, let's reflect on the significance of our prayers and the importance of making our lives an altar of fragrance and communion with God.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you approach prayer and your relationship with God?
  • In what ways can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with God through prayer?

Conclusion:​

Exodus 30 takes us back to the fundamentals of our relationship with God. Through the recipe for incense, the census, and the altar of incense, we learn about the complexity of our relationship with God and the high price of our salvation. Let us carry these truths forward into our lives today, approaching our relationship with God with precision, intentionality, and a deep appreciation for the high cost of our salvation. Let us make ourselves an altar of fragrance, communion, and intimacy with God.