<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/1843d87b-8d88-414f-a2ed-e1c1873dade3/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213637.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/1843d87b-8d88-414f-a2ed-e1c1873dade3/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213637.jpg" width="40px" /> “You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense (each has an ”interpretation” see 1 Cor 14:26. also Gabriel at the altar before Zechariah in Luke 1:10-11) before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle” (see Exodus 40:5)
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The altar of incense in the tabernacle of Moses, as described in Exodus 40, serves as a rich symbol in the scriptural narrative. Its use in the tabernacle was a key aspect of how the Israelites were to worship God, involving the burning of incense to create a pleasing aroma. This act of worship was not arbitrary but was a physical expression of a spiritual reality, pointing to the prayers of the people rising up to God.
In the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul the Apostle discusses how the church should conduct its worship services. He emphasizes that everything should be done for the strengthening of the church. This includes the singing of hymns, teaching, prophecy, and speaking in tongues, each of which must be interpreted or explained to the congregation for their edification. The key here is the idea of "interpretation" or "revelation," which suggests that the elements of the worship service are not ends in themselves, but are means of communicating deeper spiritual truths from God to His people.
Now, let's consider the "genius of the deaconiea" who executes with perfection the plan, script, or score. This idea can be seen as a parallel to the role of the altar of incense in the tabernacle. Just as the altar of incense was a means of facilitating the prayers of the people to God, so too the deaconiea, in their role, facilitate the worship of the church. They do this not by drawing attention to themselves, but by ensuring that the "plan, script, or score" of the worship service is carried out with excellence, thereby helping the congregation to encounter God in a more profound way. Their role, therefore, is not just about administrative efficiency, but about creating a context in which the spiritual "incense" of the church's worship can be offered to God in a manner that is most pleasing to Him.
<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/623a720c-7c6b-4afe-ad94-8fe3ceee31fe/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213637.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/623a720c-7c6b-4afe-ad94-8fe3ceee31fe/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213637.jpg" width="40px" /> (6.) INCENSE - prophetic significance - serve - specialist craftsman, artisanal; a fire is kindled in the holy place to be tended according to a relentless schedule, by day and by night, all year round, a fire and a fragrance to be kept burning from the beginning of the year until the end. It is at this altar that forecasts the execution of the known will of God, the implementation of the plan, script and score that has already been pre-determined in the counsels of the Most high. The fullness of this altar will not be seen until by the finger of God, the kingdom is established through the healing miracles of messiah Jesus who establishes the new covenant in his blood. Likewise, this deaconic genius brings about the fulfilment of the wishes and intents of heaven through an ever increasing glory as every soul is ordained for greatness and every community can bless God and flourish.
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Redeeming the deaconic genius (DEA, serve) - The ability to shape with excellence a plan to perfection. This default natural ability derives pleasure in perfecting with artisanal flair and finesse a hand-crafted plan, script or score that creates and wows fans by award-winning strategies and designs.
“The drive and urge to get the job done, to carry out the instructions or the command of another or others. Individuals will ensure full and complete execution of the task and meet the expressed need, even at the cost of much personal sacrifice” (Samuel / Moen)
The deaconic genius, characterised by a natural ability to shape and perfect a plan to perfection, is a key aspect of how the Israelites were to worship God, involving the burning of incense to create a pleasing aroma. This act of worship was not arbitrary but was a physical expression of a spiritual reality, pointing to the prayers of the people rising up to God.
In the context of the deaconic genius, the altar of incense is a means of facilitating the prayers of the people to God, so too the deaconiea, in their role, facilitate the worship of the church. They do this not by drawing attention to themselves, but by ensuring that the "plan, script, or score" of the worship service is carried out with excellence, thereby helping the congregation to encounter God in a more profound way. Their role, therefore, is not just about administrative efficiency, but about creating a context in which the spiritual "incense" of the church's worship can be offered to God in a manner that is most pleasing to Him.
The ethos of obedience in the Christian faith, particularly the yielding of one's rights in submission to the known will of God, is a profound act of worship that goes beyond mere external observance. This is exemplified in the New Testament command for believers to be baptized in water upon coming to faith. Water baptism, an outward act, symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a public declaration of a private experience, a step of obedience that reflects the believer's personal trust in Christ and willingness to follow Him.
This act of obedience is not about earning God's favor or salvation, but is a response to the grace that has been received through faith. It's an act of 'taking off one's shoes,' so to speak, in the presence of the holy God. This imagery harks back to the Old Testament, when God commanded Moses to take off his sandals at the burning bush, for the place where he was standing was holy ground. In this act, Moses was acknowledging God's holiness and his own unworthiness. Similarly, in the act of baptism, the believer is acknowledging the lordship of Jesus, submitting to His authority, and setting apart themselves for His service.
Therefore, the 'incense' of obedience is not a mere religious ritual, but a fragrant offering that pleases God. It's a visible sign of an invisible grace, a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. In the same way the altar of incense was a central and continual part of the Israelites' worship, so is the believer's life of obedience a vital expression of their worship to God.
