What are your thoughts concerning ritual? If we claim that something has become ritualistic, we usually mean that the act is being done superficially, devoid of original intent or substance. Right? We say things like, “That’s just ritual” or “That group is so ritualistic”. And if something is deemed “ritual” it is understood to be an observance sans substance. And if a group is “ritualistic” they are shallow in their approach to Yahweh. But what if my morning ritual is to kiss my wife good morning and say “I love you”? Is that a ritualizing of an otherwise tender moment? I hope not because that is my morning ritual. And I believe that ritual has been a very good thing. I don’t believe the sentiment has lost power or substance because it is done at the same time every day. I would like to suggest that sometimes we need ritual. God gave us rituals. He intends us to be ritualistic.
Exodus 30:1-10 gives us instructions concerning the Altar of Incense, which is sometimes called the Altar of Gold. This altar is rather small compared to the other items in the Holy Space. It was about one and half feet long and wide and about three feet tall. It was – along with almost all of the furniture in the Holy Space and the Most Holy Space – made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had horns which often represent strength. It had two rings on two sides through which two poles made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold were inserted. It was too holy to be handled by human hands. This altar was to be placed before the face of the curtain that closed off the Most Holy Space – the place where the ark of the testimony rested with its mercy seat. Again, the mercy seat is literally an atonement cover – a covering over of sins. Most likely the idea is that on one side of the curtain stood the ark of the covenant and directly facing the ark on the other side of the curtain was the Altar of Incense.
Aaron, either representing the high priests or the whole priesthood, was to burn a fragrant incense upon this altar twice a day. When he entered in the morning to make good or prepare the lamps he was to burn incense. When he went in at the evening to cause the lamps to go up – probably referring to trimming the lamps – he was to burn incense. Twice a day, at the beginning and end, Aaron and subsequently the priests were to burn incense before the face of Yahweh. Ah ritual! Continual, twice a day, ritual. Many will, at this juncture, refer to Psalm 141:2 as evidence that the incense represents prayers. But the psalmist is merely saying that he desired his prayers to be fixed like incense – fixed twice daily. He wanted his prayers to be ritualistic, you might as well say. The author of Revelation also compares prayers to the offering of incense. But the comparison is of prayers to the incense and not the other way round.
Whatever is going on here, the instruction is clear: no strange incense can be offered. In verses 34-38 they are told exactly how to make the incense. They were to offer the very specific incense twice a day. This altar could not be used to offer any kind of sacrifice. Some have suggested that the incense was burned to cover the stench of burned sacrifices. But maybe God wanted them to understand that consistent obedient observance of his will was a sweet aroma. Prayers are compared to this offering because of consistency and aroma. Picture God in heaven breathing in deeply as the prayers of the saints are offered up. Does he sputter when the same prayers are said daily? Not our God!
This altar was to be atoned for once a year. So, once a year, probably on the Day of Atonement, the priests were to sprinkle or rub the blood from the sin offering on the horns of the altar. This action was commanded because “it is most holy to Yahweh”. What is most holy? The altar? The offering of incense? Probably both. Again, even the tools of service stood in need of sanctification. Our God is holy beyond our wildest imagination.
If we say prayers before every meal, we stand in danger of uttering superficial prayers. But we can consistently say the same prayer at every meal and praise our God from the heart. And those prayers are a sweet aroma to the Lord of Creation. If we take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, we stand in danger of trivializing a sacred banquet. But we can consistently gather around the Table of the Lord with hearts filled with joy and celebration. Ritual is not the problem. Our hearts become the problem. It is not about how many times or at what times of day that I pray that matters. It is my heart that matters. My heart engaged in ritualistic observances is always a sweet fragrance to our God. Ritual it up then. Peace, Walter.