Exodus 30 - The Altar of Incense | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Exodus 30 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Exodus 30 the table of incense is described with its requirements. It was located in the holy place and covered in gold.Next in this chapter weirdly it describes the process of taking a census of the fighting men. It seems very out of place, but that is convenient as it puts to death the idea of a later redaction which would certainly not have happened here.When a nation wanted to take a census of its fighting men, it had to redeem them, and every man had to pay a half shekel to the temple. This was the poll tax. This was to “buy them back” and remind everyone that they belong to God. A count is only undertaken in situations of ownership, and this reminded everyone that they belonged to God.It described the consequences of not following this, which was a plague. Later in 2 Samuel 24:1 KIng David did take a census, did not pay the poll tax, and there was a plague. However it is worth noting the census displeased God because David was looking at how great he was, rather than how great God was.Next the bronze laver is described, setup between the entrance and the tent of meeting. It turns out that the tent of meeting here is the part of the tabernacle housing the holy place and the most holy place. But to confuse things, later in Exodus 33 there was another tent of meeting where Moses met with God aside from all the regulations going on in the tabernacle.So the two tents of meetings are a foreshadowing of law and grace. THere are two ways to meet with God, first through perfection in keeping the law, or secondly through faith and grace. Which way will you choose? You cannot mix methods.