Engaged By God To The Fire Of Intercession, Part Two.

As we continue our reflection on the error of Nadab and Abihu, let’s take a look at the relationship between the altar of incense, the lamps, the oil, and the anointing and responsibility unique to intercessors.

The lamps are not just for light. The prophet Zechariah was given a word of knowledge concerning the lamps in the temple of God (found in Zechariah chapter 4). The lamps were symbolic of the way in which God's leaders speak in the world: not by might nor power, but by the Holy Spirit (see Zechariah 4:6). And, in several Old Testament texts, we see that the Holy Spirit’s anointing (associated with leadership) was signified by the presence of oil. Zechariah was given a vision of this:

Next I asked the [angelic] messenger, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah?” Before he could reply I asked again, “What are these two extensions of the olive trees, which are emptying out the golden oil through the two golden pipes?” He replied, “Don’t you know what these are?” And I said, “No, sir.” So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14) By implication, then, a person who is not designated as an “anointed one” is not qualified to stand as an intercessor for the community because he has not taken on the task of tending to the lamps and oil-- a metaphor of life lived "by the Spirit" (see Galatians 5:16).

The incense is not just for aroma. The book of Revelation gives a stunning commentary on the power of intercessory prayer. The imagery used is that of bowls of incense. Our prayers are carried with bowls of incense to heaven, poured out before the Lord, and the emptied bowls are then re-filled with God’s decisions/judgements and hurled back to the earth (Revelation 8:1-5; Revelation 15:7 through 16:21). This helps to clarify why God was so specific concerning the way in which incense offerings were to be presented: it was not simply an issue of smells. It was an earthly representation of a heavenly protocol.

In Exodus 25:9 we see the command given to Moses: “You must do everything exactly as I show you.” Why? Because the place and way of ministry serve as a reflection of God and His glorious kingdom. Nadab and Abihu opted to do things “not exactly” the way God intended, and it cost them their lives.

You can't deal with the altar of incense unless you deal with the lamps. The work of Aaron, daily, was to both offer the incense and tend to the lamps as he met with the LORD (see Exodus 30:6-8). Specifically, while the incense was burning on the altar, its flame provided enough light so that Aaron could clean the lamps, empty out the old oil, and add fresh oil. For us today, the same process occurs in our beings. In the realm of prayer we receive enlightenment from God, we are emptied of our old tendencies, and we are filled and re-filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It no wonder, then, that Scripture urges us to pray continually (First Thessalonians 5:17).

God demands, and expects, an accurate reflection of Himself in the earth. And He has chosen us, anointed as twenty-first century kings and priests, to be that reflection (see First Peter 2:9). Let us heed the warning from the lives of Nadab and Abihu. God loves us, and He urges us to walk in His statutes. Do we dare to carry unauthorized fire into His most holy place? For the sake of His Name, our Lord holds the option to shut us down… even while we’re dressed in our vestments, standing on the platform, holding our offending fire pans. God sees your slackness, Nadab and Abihu. It is why He warns you so.

"So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness. So as you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (First Peter 2:1-5)