Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
7 23 2025
Audio Version
“The Aroma of a Christian”
I was reading this week, and the phrase, “the Aroma of a Christian,” stopped me in my thoughts. In researching, I discovered incense appears 68 times in the Bible. There are 600 references to essential oils or plants spoken of. Amazing how specific God our Father is about fragrance, incense, and what they mean if we have a heart to listen.
Our ladies wear Christian Dior, Chanel, and other brands that have invested billions in branding, becoming household names and fragrances that we can immediately recognize. Why? A woman’s presence is thus represented, in part, by the aroma that precedes them.
Did you know they sell Biblical incense on eBay?
Frankincense Resin Incense PEA SIZE Olibanum For Charcoal Burners. $119.00 or Biblical Archaeology R: Rare Incense Altar, Aphek, or Blessed Anointing Oil from the Holy Land.
The Old Testament references the altar of incense first in Ex 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It gives us the exact dimension, one cubit per side,, two cubits high. It was made of Acacia wood and overlaid in gold. It had four “horns,” one at each corner, similar to the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard (Exodus 30:2; cf. 27:2)
The altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. On the other side of the veil was the Ark of the Testimony, where the presence of God was (Exodus 25:22).
Aaron the high priest was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and night, as a regular offering to the Lord (Exodus 30:7–8). God even gave the recipe for making the incense and stipulated that no other incense ever be burned on the altar (verses 34–38). The fire used to burn the incense was always taken from the altar of burnt offering outside the sanctuary (Leviticus 16:12). Never was the altar of incense to be used for a burnt offering, a grain offering, or a drink offering (Exodus 30:9). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to put blood on the horns of the altar of incense to cleanse it. The altar of incense was called “most holy to the Lord” (verse 10).
So why all the history? The level of meticulous instructions God used emphasized the sacredness of the Tabernacle and the need to approach a holy God with reverence and care.
Every element of the Tabernacle and its rituals held symbolic meaning, pointing to the greater realities of heaven and Christ’s atoning work. For example, the altar of incense symbolized the prayers of the saints ascending to God. Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,” and Aaron’s role as High Priest prefigured Jesus’ role as the ultimate High Priest and intercessor.
Aaron was instructed to burn incense, emphasizing the importance of constant prayer and intercession.
But there was an exclusivity to all of these. Like the strict prohibition against replicating the incense for personal use (Exodus 30:37-38) This underscored the unique and sacred purpose of this altar and the importance of dedicating elements of life exclusively to God’s service.
These detailed instructions, though seemingly mundane at first glance, reveal the depth of God’s character, His desire for a relationship with His people, and the foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice and intercession of Jesus Christ.(according to Godquestions.org)
I was raised a reverent and deeply committed Catholic for the first 23 yrs of my life, I actually wanted to become a priest. And there is a part of me still today that loves the holy emphasis of the rituals and the reverence the Catholics offer in their processions and celebratory services. But as important as that is, God said through the prophet, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me” (Isaiah 1:13). More important than burning the proper incense at the proper time with the proper fire with the proper implements was having a proper heart before God.
The Aroma of a Christian: What is that? What does that mean practically?
- Our prayers and our presence are a pleasing aroma to God, conveying our devotion, gratitude, and our needs.
- The priest…and we are now, a Holy Priesthood, should be in constant communication with God. That prayer… that fellowship is incense to the Father.
- Direct Access to God’s presence through Christ our High Priest: Like one of our children coming over and hopping up into our lap to be there with Dad. Abba Father.
- Intercession and seeking God’s will: The altar of incense is also linked to the idea of priestly intercession, and in a Christian context, to the intercession of Jesus Christ on our behalf. These guidelines and specifics are there to encourage us to pray for ourselves and others, seeking God’s guidance and intervention in every part of our lives. “ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”. Ps 150;6
- Purity and holiness in prayer: The need for specific, consecrated incense on the altar and the yearly atonement highlight the importance of approaching God in prayer with a sincere and a repentant heart, acknowledging the purification and righteousness provided through faith (according to GotQuestions.org)
As critical as all of this is to living a life that honors God and places him first, it’s not just about the pomp and circumstance but of a life lived through faith in Jesus. The altar of incense and the rituals should serve as a type or shadow pointing towards Christ..Our intercessor…sitting at the right hand of the Father, ever living to make intercession for us. (Rom 8:34) So, practically, living as incense to God means striving to live a life that aligns with God’s will and purpose, and demonstrating our love and reverence for Him and others. To pray without ceasing. Thess 5:17
What does your incense to God look like? Perhaps a little house cleaning is in order to pull the Ark of the Covenant into a proper place of reverence and adoration…again.
“The Aroma of a Christian.” should be wildly apparent to everyone we know. But is it?
A woman’s presence is represented, in part, by the aroma/the perfume that precedes them.
What does your presence smell like?
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Matt Redman. Let there be wonder
