Tag: Malachi 04

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8)

Oil-palette-knife–style digital illustration by ChatGPT showing incense as intercessory prayer across earthly and heavenly realms. On the left, Aaron the high priest ministers at the golden altar of incense inside the tabernacle, with thick smoke rising and a clearly defined seven-branch menorah glowing behind him in warm gold tones. At the center, the Messiah stands as the superior High Priest, hands lifted in prayer, surrounded by intertwined grapevines symbolizing unity and His John 17 intercession, visually bridging earth and heaven. On the right, a Revelation 8 scene unfolds: an angel adds incense to the prayers of the saints before a radiant throne, as stormy skies, fire, and trumpet-judgment imagery emerge in cooler, dramatic hues. The painting uses heavy, expressive strokes and contrasts warm incense light with dark, turbulent judgment clouds. A text overlay in the lower middle reads, “‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the upper right corner.

In this study we explore Exodus 30 to Revelation 8. They reveal that the altar of incense in ancient Israel’s Tabernacle is a powerful picture of how our prayers rise like incense before God. We learn from Hannah’s heartfelt prayer, the high priestly intercession of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in John 17, and the prophet Malachi’s warning against empty worship. Together they call us to pure, devoted prayer, genuine repentance, and unity in truth. That’s so our lives become a living offering “most holy to the LORD.”

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Discussions Torah

Regret vs. repentance (Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1–4)

Who we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. On the flip side, if we aren’t “born again” (John 3) into the best of the legacy passed to us — the Kingdom of God — we can turn it into an abomination.  

The Torah section תולדות Toldot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9) reminds us that we are called to recognize the good around us and must become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart.” We should have the desire to be mature and complete in the knowledge of and relationship to God. We should not be dismayed when “curveballs” come our way.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Jeremiah 7-9; Malachi 3-4: Heaven’s salve for our hearts to prepare us for Passover

God is the epitome of lovingkindness, mercy and justice. He reigns in Heaven but He is as close as the prayers on our lips. (Photo by Freeimages.com/Martin Boose)

Why should we study the offerings of Israel’s Tabernacle and Temple, particularly after the arrival of the ultimate offering, Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ)? Thankfully, the prophets the LORD sent ahead of the Mashiakh help explain why this study is critical to learning more about the heart of the Creator of the heavens and the Earth.

The parallel passage (haftarah in Hebrew) for the Torah passage צו Tzav (“command,” Lev. 6:8–8:36) provides a sobering reminder that the Tabernacle has always been about the heart connection to Heaven and not works-based forgiveness. We learn that we are to forgive the sins, transgressions and iniquities of others completely, as God has forgiven ours. And we are to forget them, as God has forgotten ours, freeing us from our “house of bondage” of guilt. That’s a great prelude to the memorial of Pesakh (Passover).