Incense

[brinny]

MET'APHOR, n. [Gr. to transfer, over, to carry.] A short similitude; a similitude reduced to a single word; or a word expressing similitude without the signs of comparison. Thus "that man is a fox," is a metaphor; but "that man is like a fox," is a similitude or comparison. So when I say, "the soldiers fought like lions," I use a similitude. In metaphor, the similitude is contained in the name; a man is a fox, means, a man is as crafty as a fox. -Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Was the myrrh you smelled an oil? I don't know what it's original form is.

it's oil

i take literally that the saints' prayers are a sweet savor (incense) to God.

 

[Rick Otto]

it's oil

i take literally that the saints' prayers are a sweet savor (incense) to God.

I know, but I can't figure out for the life of me why, since it is metaphor.
Have smelled burning sage yet? Try it. It smells "holy" to me.

 

[brinny]

it means that God delights in the prayers of the saints, and it rises up to Him as a sweet savor...what's so hard to understand....it delights His heart...

 

[Rick Otto]

it means that God delights in the prayers of the saints, and it rises up to Him as a sweet savor...what's so hard to understand....it delights His heart...

I don't realy know, it's all right there, isn't it.
Is that you in your avatar? That's how I picture you.
It's cute & funny!

 

[ProScribe]

Considering that incense has played a significant role in the devotions of God's chosen people for millenia, do you use incense in worship, at home, in private prayer etc?

I think it is a significant (though yes, not necessarily essential for salvation since I know how many of you feel that is all that matters) part of Christian worship.

I use incense in private prayer and worship.

 

[JCFantasy23]

We burn them on charcoal.

.

I'm glad you elaborated on your post.

I seriously thought the second photo was of those mini frosted wheat cereals.

 

[JCFantasy23]

The liturgy of the christian community disapears a little at a time.

Take away this... take away that...

"I don't like the music."

"I don't like the smells. It gives me a headache."

"I don't like the length of it."

"I don't like standing."

"I don't like crowds."

"I don't know these people."

"They're serving wine? We can't do that."

etc. etc. etc. etc.

Forgive me...

I know... let's not do worship as Christ taught the Apostles.

Let substitute a praise band! And doughnuts!

Forgive me...

But I don't like doughnuts. They're too sweet.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.' ~revelation 5:8

Psalm 141:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

Myrrh smells a bit like cedar to me.

Beautiful aroma!

 

[JCFantasy23]

Trying to be in a more serious mood, I don't use incense. I have nothing against it and don't think it's a bad idea or anything, just something I don't think about. I do love praying with candles though, and I find scents can calm me and help me focus for more serious prayer. I want to buy some aromatic oil and put on my hands before church and prayer.

 

[razeontherock]

On the poll, you need one more option. Right after "Christians use incense?" you need - is outrage!

Personally I don't use it, but please do let the Lord speak to your heart about the formulation! It spells JESUS, and is such a wonderful insight into who He is, and how we can become One with Him ...

 

[drjean]

I no longer use store bought incense sticks... but natural herbs (some home grown ) in a bowl...there are many OT verses about God and sweet smelling aromas to Him.

And in the Book of the Revelation to John:
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. -Rev 5:8
Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. -Rev 8:3-4

"The Lord smelled a sweet savor" is the Bible way of saying that God was pleased with the worship rendered to him.
There is an exquisite beauty in the thought that true prayer is fragrance to God as it rises from the golden altars of believing, loving hearts.

I don't use incense for me... I lost my sense of smell in the accident. But it's also not a habit nor routine...

 

[Incariol]

Orthodox - Let my prayer - YouTube

 

[Nanopants]

In short, I live in a man cave, and usually it's just easier to light up some incense than to actually clean. I also pray here, so the use of incense while praying is purely coincidental.

 

[ptomwebster]

...
Evidently, that Church in Revelation 18 wasn't doing the incense the right way

...

You might want to read Rev 18.

 

[ptomwebster]

.
It is unnecessary, it STINKS, and therefore I don't do it.

You must use those cheap incense sticks!


I mix my own from the recipes in Exodus. There are two of them, the first is used for anointing


Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exo 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
Exo 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
Exo 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
Exo 30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exo 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
Exo 30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Exo 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exo 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
Exo 30:33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
Exo 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
Exo 30:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
Exo 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Exo 30:37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.
Exo 30:38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.