Exodus 30: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Exodus 30 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Moses receives instructions for an altar of incense made of acacia wood, measuring one cubit in length and width, and two cubits in height (vv. 1-2). It is to be overlaid with pure gold, with rings for poles to carry it (vv. 3-5). Aaron is to burn incense on it every morning and evening, as it is holy to Yahweh (vv. 7-8). Strange incense, burnt offerings, or meal offerings cannot be offered on it (vv. 9-10).

Key verse

“The incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh.”
Exodus 30:37 (WEB)

Outline

Exodus 30:1–10 Instructions for the Altar of Incense
Exodus 30:11–16 The Atonement Tax Regulation
Exodus 30:17–21 The Basin for Priestly Purification
Exodus 30:22–33 The Holy Anointing Oil
Exodus 30:34–38 The Incense Composition

Discussion questions

In v6, what is placed before the veil near the ark of the testimony?
What is the measurement of the altar in v2, specifically its height?
The command in v9 regarding 'strange incense': what might this imply about acceptable worship?
In v10, why must Aaron make atonement on the altar's horns once a year?
When has something 'holy' in your life required you to change how you act or think?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Exodus 30: Leviticus 16, Exodus 40, Exodus 25.

Before next time: read Exodus 31.