Bible Study Evangelista - ”How”: Holy Smoke!

Notes and References

Old Testament Incense

Exodus 30:1-10, description of the tabernacle incense altar
Exodus 37:29, second description of the tabernacle incense altar

Incense included salt

Ezekiel 16:4 – salting newborns

2 Kings 2:19-22, salt used to cleanse undrinkable (bitter) waters

Numbers 18:19, “covenant in salt”

2 Chronicles 13:5, David is an eternal king through a salt covenant

Psalm 141:2, incense = prayer
Malachi 1:11, Old Testament prophecy of the time when Gentiles (non-Jews) would offer a “pure offering” accompanied by incense

New Testament Incense

Luke 1:8-11, Zechariah offers incense in the temple at the hour of prayer
Mark 14:32-36, “Not my will but yours.”
John 17, Jesus prays for us
1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.
James 5:16, The continual prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

Heavenly Incense

Revelation 5:8, incense = prayer
Revelation 8:3-5, incense = prayer

St. Therese of Lisieux, Autobiographical Manuscript C, 25: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy.”

Episode Resources

Fulfilled, Uncovering the Biblical Foundations of Catholicism, Chapter 10, Holy Smoke

Ignite, Chapters 6 & 7, The How of the Bible

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