THE SYMBOLISM OF INCENSE: A PICTURE OF PRAYER, HOLINESS AND THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST
One of the most powerful ways the Bible shows its divine nature is through prophecy—especially prophecies about future events. These prophecies reveal God’s control over time and His ability to predict what is yet to come (Isaiah 46:9-10). While humans cannot know the future, God’s prophetic words show His plans and purposes (Amos 3:7).
A unique part of biblical prophecy is the concept of types. A type is when certain people, events, or objects in the Old Testament represent greater spiritual truths, which find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). These types help us understand God’s plan for salvation and His love for His people (Romans 15:4).
One of the most important types in the Old Testament is the tabernacle (and later, the temple). These structures pointed ahead to the church and the eternal realities of heaven (Hebrews 8:5). For example, the “Holy Place” in the temple was a symbol of the church, the body of Christ (Acts 15:16-17; 1 Timothy 3:15).
The “Holy of Holies,” where God’s presence dwelled, represented heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24). Inside the Holy Place were several key items: the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. Of these, the altar of incense stands out, as it strongly symbolizes prayer.
This altar, made of acacia wood and covered in gold, was used for burning incense morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8). The incense was carefully made from a specific blend of spices, and it could not be altered or used for personal purposes (Exodus 30:9).
This rule highlights how incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense,” linking incense to prayer. Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, incense is described as representing “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
It’s important to understand that prayer, like incense, is not meant to be something we only do in emergencies when our relationship with God is weak. Proverbs 28:9 warns, “He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” This teaches us that prayer is effective when it comes from a heart that obeys God (James 5:16). True prayer comes from a life that seeks God and His will (John 15:7).
The relationship between incense and prayer is especially clear on the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with incense to represent the prayers of the people before God (Leviticus 16:12-13). The incense formed a cloud that covered the mercy seat, where God’s presence was revealed.
This symbolized the separation between God’s holiness and human sin (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2). The ritual, combined with the offering of blood, showed the need for reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity (Romans 5:10).
In the New Testament, the imagery of incense continues to help us understand Jesus’ work. Ephesians 5:2 tells us that Christ’s death was a “fragrant offering” to God, reminding us that His sacrifice pleased God (Philippians 4:18).
Furthermore, Christians are called to spread the “fragrance” of Christ’s knowledge to the world (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Our lives—through our prayers and sharing Christ with others—become a sweet aroma to God, much like the incense in the temple (Romans 12:1).
The incense used in the Old Testament temple rituals beautifully points to the relationship between prayer, God’s holiness, and Christ’s atoning sacrifice. It reminds us that our prayers, when offered in faith and obedience, rise to God as a pleasing fragrance (Revelation 8:4). We can only pray and be heard because of Jesus’ cleansing blood, which makes our prayers acceptable to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
