Censer

A censer was a metal pan or vessel used to carry burning coals and incense in worship. On the Day of Atonement the high priest took a censer full of coals and incense behind the veil, so that “the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat” — the fragrant smoke shielding him as he drew near to God.

The censer could be an instrument of life-saving intercession. When a plague broke out, Aaron “took a censer… and put on incense, and made an atonement for the people… and stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed” — prayer and atonement literally holding back death.

But the censer also exposed presumption. Korah’s rebels and the sons of Aaron who offered “strange fire” with their censers were struck down for approaching God on their own terms. Revelation completes the picture: an angel fills a golden censer with fire from the altar and casts it to the earth. The censer teaches that drawing near to God is precious, powerful, and never to be taken lightly.