Exodus 30:1  “…make an altar to burn incense on…”
Altar of incense.  Two cubits high and a cubit square.  Covered with gold.  Only two rings to carry it, one on each side.  I guess the small size didn’t require four rings, but still carried like the other articles with poles.  Had horns like the large burnt offering altar.  Was placed before the veil that hung in front of the ark of the Testimony, or between the candlestick and the table of showbread.  Idea seems to be that the burning incense was symbolic of the prayers of the people going up before God.

7-8  “…when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it…”
Was a question regarding the lampstand whether it was lit all the time or just at night.  This seems to say it was only at night as it mentions Aaron lighting the lamps at twilight and also burning incense then.

9  “You shall not offer strange incense on it…”
God will give the recipe for the incense.  They were to use only what He said.  Some of the priests got into trouble for burning strange incense before the LORD.  Not sure of all the implications.  Lack of respect and holiness would be the biggest.

9  “…or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it”
Don’t use it for anything other than incense.

12  “When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number…”
I’m assuming this was only taken when the people were counted in a census.  Not sure of the schedule, how often it was done.  Only men twenty years and older.

15  “…rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel…”
Everyone was equal before God.

18  “…laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze…”
Like a portable sink.  Held water for ceremonial washing.

21  “…they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die…”
Wasn’t to be taken lightly.  Showed that sin cannot come before God.  Man must be washed.  Pointed to what Jesus did for us by shedding His blood for us.  Cleansed us of our sins for all time.

25  “…make from these a holy anointing oil…”
Specific recipe for the holy anointing oil.  Was never to be used for anything else.  Was considered holy.

37  “But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition…”
Same thing for the recipe for the incense.  It was holy for the LORD and must not be used for anything else.

38  “…he shall be cut off from his people”
Same thing for the anointing oil.  Anyone who made some for any purpose other than its intended use would be cut off, a phrase meaning put to death.  Commentaries listed other meanings such as immediate death from God or excommunication from the nation, or being denied any posterity.  Probably so, but the disfavor expressed seems to have the impact of death, cut off completely.  Daniel says the prince or messiah will enter into Jerusalem and be cut off, as Christ did when He died on the cross.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.