T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S it could never fall to the lot of the same priest twice to offer Incense. Three priests served for one week and the part assigned to each was by lot. One removed the ashes of the former serv ice. One brought in the pan with hot, burning coals and replaced it on the altar, And one sprinkled the incense on the hot coals, and, while the smoke ascended, made intercession for the people. This privilege was the highest given to a priest, and by lot it fell to Zacha rias (Rev. 8:3) “A n d another angel came and stood at the a lta r, h a vin g a golden censer; and there w as g ive n unto h im m uch incense, th a t he should offer it w ith the p rayers of a ll saints upon the golden a lta r w h ic h was before the throne.” While he prayed the people without Were praying and the incense was rising, — upon the brazen altar without the bleeding victim was being offered,— a blessed type of our ascending prayers in the name of the Victim of Calvary's cross (Heb. 10:19-22). (2) THE ANGELIC PRESENCE AND ASTONISHING PROMISE, vs. 11- 17. “ An angel of the Lord.” Zacharias enters the holy place, whose walls, ceiling and floor were overlaid with gold, walks to the altar of incense where the censer had been placed, and as he raised his eyes he saw the Angel Gabriel standing on the light side of the altar. There are but two angels named in the Bible,— Gabriel (The hero of God), and Michael (Who is like God). Gabriel appears to promote God’s work (Dan. 8:16; 9:21-23; Luke 1:26). Michael’s work was to destroy all work opposed to God (Dan. 10:13-21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7). One is the angel of mercy and the other of wrath. Zacharias was troubled, as was Man- oah (Judges 13:22); and Daniel and his friends (Dan. 10:7-9); and Ezekiel ( Ezek. 1 :28 ); and the women at the tomb (Mark 16 :8 ); and the Apostle John (Rev. 1:17).
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In tr o d u c tio n : Here 1 b a picture story which Includes the domestic life of a priest and his wife; God’s people, Israel; the temple worship; the incense altar; an angelic visitor; a promised LESSON forerunner to the Mes- EXPOSEHON siah; a punishment for X. C. Horton unbelief; a startled assembly. It would not be difficult for any teacher to gather around these pictures the spiritual truths which are so vitally associated with them. (1) THE AGED PRIEST, vs. 5-10. “ A certain priest.” The scene is laid in Jerusalem. Herod is king of Judea, Samaria, Galilee and Perea. He was not a Jew. He was a strong, passionate, dissolute ruler. He had rebuilt the temple on a magnificent scale and- had sought to placate the Jews In every way. Zacharlas was one of the priests. To gether with Elisabeth, his wife, he had prayed for a son. They were childless. Among the Jews it was considered a re proach, and by some even a judgment, to be without a child. They longed for a son and perhaps— as did many Jews— that that son might be the long-looked for Messiah. Zacharias ( “ Remembered of Jeho vah” ). Elisabeth, identified with “ Eli- sheba” ( “ One whose oath i3 to God” ). They were both righteous before God as was Noah (Gen. 6 :9). This does not mean that they were sinless’y per fect, for had they been there would have been no necessity for the altar of ferings. They were living to please God and had the respect and confidence of their friends. They exerted an influ ence upon the people for good, as should every true believer. Zacharias was a priest by birthright, being a descendant of Aaron (Heb. 5:1-4). It is important to have a clear view of this event. Farrar says that at this time there were about 20,000 priests and
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