Scripture Reading : Ex 30
Theme : The Altar
Remember to pray.
The golden altar before the veil symbolized the ministry of prayer (Ps. 141:1–3; Rev. 5:8). God’s people today don’t stand before the veil: they enter the very presence of God. We need the “fire” of the Holy Spirit or our prayers are heartless (Rom. 8:23–27). Prayer is special, and we must not treat it as common (vv. 34–38).
Remember you are ransomed.
They were not redeemed by paying money, nor are we (1 Pet. 1:18ff.); but paying the annual half-shekel reminded them of what God had done for them. The silver was used to make the sockets for the posts of the tabernacle (38:25–37). The foundation for everything is redemption.
Remember to keep clean.
Like the priests, we are washed once at redemption, but we must keep clean in our daily walk. If they became defiled even while serving the Lord in the holy tabernacle, what must happen to us as we serve in an evil world!
Remember to honor the Holy Spirit.
Praying the Scripture
- The altar of incense (v. 1) represented the Son of God in his human nature, and the incense burned thereon typified his pleading for his people. The continual intercession of Christ was represented by the daily burning of incense thereon, morning and evening. Paul also said, “Christ Jesus is the one who died– more than that, who was raised– who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Rom 8:34) So if you are discouraged, remember that Jesus Christ is interceding for you even today. Let’s pray that we will not give up, but we’ll forget the past and strain forward to what lies ahead (Phi 3:13).
- The tribute was half a shekel (v.13). The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less (v.15); the souls of the rich and poor are alike precious, and God is no respecter of persons (Act 10:34; Job 34:19). In other offerings men were to give according to their worldly ability; but this, which was the ransom of the soul, must be alike for all. The souls of all are of equal value, equally in danger, and all equally need a ransom. The money raised was to be used in the service of the tabernacle. Those who have the benefit, must not grudge the necessary charges of God’s public worship. Money cannot make atonement for the soul, but it may be used for the honor of Him who has made the atonement, and for the maintenance of the gospel by which the atonement is applied. How was your giving? Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Gal 6:7)
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 30:1.
经文：出30章
主题： 祭坛
要记得祷告
幔子前的金坛象征着祷告的事工（诗141:1-3；启5:8）。今天，神的子民无需站在幔子前：他们可以直接到神面前。我们需要圣灵的“火”，否则我们的祷告将是冷淡的（罗8:23-27）。祷告是特别的，而我们绝不能视它为理所当然（34-38节）。
你要记得自己已蒙救赎
以色列人不是用钱赎回的，而我们也不是（彼前1:18 FF）；但是，每年奉献半舍客勒是要提醒他们神为他们所做的一切。这银后来也被铸造成带卯的座（38:25-37）。救赎是一切的根基。
你要记得保持洁净
如同祭司一样，我们得蒙救赎时已被洁净，但我们也需在每日生活中持守圣洁。如果他们在神圣的帐幕侍奉时都会被玷污了，那在这邪恶的世界里我们将成什么样呢！
你要记得荣耀圣灵
用经文祷告
- 香坛（第1节）代表神儿子的人性，所以烧香就代表基督为自己的子民祈求。早晚不断的烧香就如基督不断地代求。保罗也说：“谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。”（罗8:34）所以，如果你感到气馁，请记得耶稣基督今日也在为你祈求。让我们祈祷，叫我们不会放弃，忘记背後，努力面前（披3:13）。
- 每个人的赎价是半舍客勒（第13节）。富有的无需奉献更多，贫穷的也不得奉献更少（15节），因为穷人和富人的灵魂都一样的珍贵，而神是不偏待人的（徒10:34；伯34:19）。在其它奉献上，人要根据自己世俗的能力和财富；但是，灵魂的赎价皆是等同的。所有灵魂都有着同等的价值、同样需要救恩，有着同样的赎价。所收集到的银子最后也用于帐幕的铸造。金钱是无法为灵魂赎罪，但它可用来荣耀那作了赎罪祭的，也可用于赎罪祭的福音上。你是否奉献呢？不要自欺，神是轻慢不得的。人种的是什么，收的也是什么（加6:7）。
