“And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not.”
This verse is part of the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the Day of Atonement, a significant annual observance in ancient Israel. The Day of Atonement was a solemn day when the high priest performed specific rituals to atone for the sins of the people and seek forgiveness from God.
Now let’s break down the verse and explore its significance:
- “And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD”: The “he” referred to in this verse is the high priest, who was the only person allowed to enter the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, also known as the Holy of Holies. The high priest was to take incense and put it on the fire before the Lord. Incense was a fragrant mixture that, when burned, produced a cloud of smoke.
- “That the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony”: The purpose of burning the incense was to create a cloud of smoke that would cover the mercy seat. The mercy seat was a golden cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. It symbolized the presence of God and His throne of mercy and judgment.
- “That he die not”: The high priest was instructed to perform this ritual precisely as directed, ensuring that the cloud of incense covered the mercy seat. Failure to do so could result in the high priest’s death, as it was a sacred task with severe consequences for neglect or disobedience.
The significance of this verse lies in the symbolism of the cloud of incense covering the mercy seat. The cloud represented the presence of God, and the mercy seat signified His throne of grace and forgiveness. The act of covering the mercy seat with incense demonstrated the high priest’s reverence for God’s holiness and his recognition of the need for divine mercy and forgiveness for the sins of the people.
This ritual foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would become the ultimate High Priest and offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. The cloud of incense represents the intercession of Jesus, who continually intercedes for us before the Father, covering our sins with His righteousness.
In summary, Leviticus 16:13 illustrates the intricate details of the Day of Atonement and the high priest’s role in seeking forgiveness for the people. It emphasizes the need for reverence, obedience, and recognition of God’s holiness. Additionally, it points forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice and mediator who covers our sins and intercedes for us before the Father.
