Exodus 30:5
And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exodus 30:5 (KJV)
Context
God gave Moses these instructions while Israel camped at Mount Sinai. The altar of incense stood in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated it from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant rested. This verse is part of the detailed directions for building that altar.
Meaning
The staves were long poles used to carry the altar. God commanded that they be made of shittim wood, also called acacia wood, and then overlaid with gold. Acacia wood grew in the desert and was hard, durable, and resistant to decay. Gold was the most precious metal, often representing purity, glory, and divinity. The combination of wood and gold appears throughout the Tabernacle, showing that even the poles for carrying the altar were holy and set apart.
The wood and gold together also point to a deeper truth. The wood speaks of strength and endurance in ordinary human life. The gold speaks of divine purity and worth. Joined together, they show that worship joins the human and the divine. This union is fulfilled in Christ, who is both fully human and fully God, and who serves as our great intercessor.
Biblical connections
The altar of incense was used for burning incense twice daily, and incense in Scripture represents the prayers of God’s people rising before Him. Psalm 141:2 compares prayer to incense, and Revelation 8:3-4 shows incense offered with the prayers of the saints. The staves made the altar portable, so it could move with Israel through the wilderness. This mobility reminds us that God’s presence travels with His people, and our worship must be ready to follow His leading.
Application
The staves teach us that our worship and prayer life should be both durable and glorious. Durable means grounded in truth and able to endure hardship. Glorious means set apart for God and reflecting His holiness. We are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Just as the priests used the staves to carry the altar wherever God led, we must be willing to move with God’s direction while remaining steadfast in faith.
The gold overlay reminds us that every part of our service matters to God. Nothing is too small or ordinary to be dedicated to Him. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and we are called to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). The altar was not left bare wood; it was covered with gold. In the same way, our daily actions should be covered with the purity and love that come from God.
Reflection
God cares about the details of worship. He did not leave the poles for the altar to chance, but gave specific instructions for their material and covering. This shows that holiness and mobility are not opposed. The altar was both sacred and portable, and our faith can be both deeply rooted and ready to move. As we consider the staves of shittim wood overlaid with gold, we are invited to examine our own worship. Is it built on a strong foundation? Is it set apart for God? Are we willing to carry it wherever He leads? The answer to these questions shapes how we live each day.
