“The incense stands for prayer. The symbolism lies partly in that the smoke is, as it were, the refined quintessence of the offering, partly in the ascending motion of the same. That the altar of incense has its place nearest to the curtain before the ‘holy of holies’ signifies the religious specificness of prayer as coming nearest to the heart of God. The offering was of a perpetual character.” (Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology, p. 168).

“Every day the priests had to be in the Holy Place, for it was there that they offered incense on the gold-covered altar every morning and evening. The incense that rose up to the Lord symbolized the prayers of the priests for the people. Accordingly, the priest prayed along with the sacrifice. Because he had been with God and had asked for God’s blessing upon the people, he could bless the people waiting for him when he came out.
“The Lord Jesus is likewise our intercessor in heaven. He prays for us daily before God’s face. For that reason, He can bless us from heaven.” (S. G. De Graaf, Promise and Deliverance, Vol. 1, p. 314).

(Quotes used in the R eflection for Trinity Presbyterian Church of the OPC0