Acacia wood was used in the construction of the altar of incense. It’s dimensions were three feet tall by a foot and a half square. It had horns and was covered in gold. This altar was placed near the Ark of the Covenant and was to have incense burned upon it every day of the year.
Moses then conducted a census and every male over twenty was to give a half-shekel for the maintenance of the tabernacle.
A bronze laver was constructed for the washing of the priests hands and feet.
A holy oil recipe composed of the spices myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cane, cassia, and olive oil was used to anoint the tabernacle vessels, furniture and the priests.
A special incense composed of stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense would also be put on the table of incense. These recipes could not be used for any other purposes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Acacia wood is a very hard, ubiquitous, beautiful and insect resistant wood found in the deserts of the middle east.
Incense is often symbolic of prayer and incense was burned on the alter of incense twice a day, every day of the year – perhaps indicative of the importance of constant prayer.
There is some difference of opinion on which side of the veil between the holy places, the altar of incense was placed.
There were no coins at this time so the half shekel was a certain weight of silver.
The payment of a half shekel was for a ransom of souls, an atonement – each soul being of the same value to God, whether poor or rich.
Jim Demello's Things 