Question was: Why did God choose specific spices?
Malachi 1:11 that tells us that the nations,
the Gentiles will bring incense to Him.
Exodus 30:34-36 speaks of four spices that composed
the sweet incense. There were divided into three
plus one. Now the three speak of prayer, worship and
the spirit which they are accomplished plus one.
4. Frankincense
This was secured from a small tree by an incision (cut)
made in the evening from which it oozed out overnight.
Definition of oozed means slow drip, leak out slowly.
Frankincense is a root meaning whiteness. (To obtain
the frankincense, an incision is made through the bark
of the tree deep into the trunk and a strip of bark is
peeled off).
Frankincense represents Christ was bruised: stripes cut
deep into His skins, and the blood was oozed out and now
adds the sweet incense of His merits (works) to the
prayers of the saints. So, by living union with Him
believers share communion with His intercession, in
prayer. The smallest act of Christ was a sweet odor to
God. His death was His crowning act of delight to Him.
Ephesians 5:2 ncv "Live a life of love just as Christ
loved us and gave Himself for us AS A SWEET-SMELLING
OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD." As our intercessor,
Christ unites His work in the glory with that of the
cross. This makes His intercession effectual.
Rev. 8:3-4 ncv "Another angel came and stood at the
altar, holding a golden pan for incense. He was given
much incense to offer with the prayers of all God's
holy people. The angel put this offering on the golden
altar before the throne. The smoke from the incense
went up from the angel's hand to God with the prayers
of God's people".
Key word: incision means to cut deep. A strip of bark
was then peeled. Christ's suffering tells us that He
knows how we feel as a human being. He knows our pains.
He knows our agony. He knows our suffering. Therefore,
He is the Frankincense, the One plus three kinds of
prayers. The name of Jesus is one added to prayers.
To be continued: Frankincense Part 2, Incense 6.
