Incense

Incense was a costly blend of aromatic spices burned on a dedicated golden altar in the sanctuary, sending up sweet-smelling smoke morning and evening. Its recipe was holy and reserved for worship alone; to copy it for ordinary use was forbidden.

The rising, fragrant smoke naturally pictured prayer ascending to God: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense,” David sings. As the priest offered incense inside, the people prayed outside — the visible smoke embodying their invisible petitions going up to heaven.

Revelation makes the link explicit: golden bowls full of incense “are the prayers of saints,” and the smoke of incense ascends before God from an angel's hand. Incense teaches that the prayers of God's people are received by him as something precious and pleasing — a sweet fragrance, never lost.