1 Chronicles 6:49 NIV
[49] But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
The author of the book, arguably Ezra, addressed it to serve the needs of the post exilic generation. Seventy years is not a short period of time. Now that they are coming back to their homeland, a burning issue for them is: the continuity with the past, especially their identity as "children of God". They needed to find and secure the "root". In the 1 Chronicles Ezra traces the root back to Adam. But vertically the root is in their relationship with the God of Israel. Thus in the genealogy he included Aaron and his family line. In 6:49 he describes Aaron's priestly duties serving at the two altars: the altar of burnt offerings (located in the courtyard) and the altar of incense (inside of The Temple). The setup here is a prefigure of the Lord Jesus' priesthood serving his children in a sanctuary in the most inner sanctum of all who believe in Him. In this sanctuary one finds his or her identity as a child of God. A few points to note:
Who: Jesus the high priest greets you, to conduct the worship
When: 24/7
Where: in the sanctuary in the believer's heart
How: as you walk into the sancuary shut off channels to the world (5 senses), secure tranquility, leaving the world behind, in full repentance and belief in His full mercy, present yourself before The Heavenly Father
What: come to His precense through the altar of burnt offerings in full faith in Jesus the Lamb who offered himself as an atoning sacrifice.
[Atonement - cover (have all of our sins covered) reconciliation (bring peace between you and the Holy God) restoration]
Come to the altar of incense there Jesus the high priest offers prayer on your behalf. As you converse with the Father remember the words of Jesus like John 14:13-14. Do not forget that the Father already knows what you need.
Why: the Father wants relationship with you, so in this relationship, you would find who you are, the true self, as created by God fearfully and wonderfully.
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