Chapter Summary

The altar of incense and the brazen laver.

Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 30

1. Why was it important for Aaron and his sons to wash themselves before entering the temple? (Vs. 19-21) How did this cleansing posture their heart before The Lord?
2. What does it mean to be consecrated? Why were both utensils and priests consecrated? (Vs. 29-30)
3. At what age were people required to participate in the atonement offering in verse 14? What might this say about the ancient Hebrew understanding of the age of maturity? What would you consider the age of maturity today? How would you compare the expectations of adults at that time to today?
4. In verse 15, God requires that all people— the poor and the rich— to give exactly a half-shekel for an offering. Does this seem fair? Why were the rich not allowed to give more and the poor allowed to give less? What was God’s goal?
5. In verse 1, God tells Moses to make an altar. What was this altar specifically for? Why were offerings forbidden from being offered on this altar? (Vs. 9) What might this say about the difference between burning incense and offering a sacrifice?
6. In verse 9, God tells the people not to offer “strange incense” on the altar (Exodus 30:9, NKJV). What is meant by “strange incense”? Why was it forbidden from being used on the altar? What would the people of Israel have associated with strange incense?
7. Why was Aaron only required to make an atonement offering upon the altar once per year? (Vs. 10) Why do you think it did not have to be more than once a year? What do you think the people felt on this day every year?
8. Where does God say that He will meet with His people? (Vs. 6 & 36) Why does He only meet with them here and not in other parts of the tabernacle? What is special about this place where He will meet with them?
9. Why was the anointing oil forbidden to be poured on any person’s flesh? (Vs. 32) What does this say about God’s Holiness?
10. What is the mercy seat? (Vs. 6) Where was the mercy seat located in the temple? Why was this place covered with a veil? What does this say about what is required for God to dwell in the presence of other people?

Key Words/Phrase

Incense (worship), v. 7.

Characters

God, Moses, Aaron.

Strong Verse(s)

30