One of the most magnificent contemplation of incense

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




One of the most magnificent contemplation of incense is that it reminds us of the cloud or the dark cloud in which the Lord appeared. The Lord says: “I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat” (Lev.16: 2). It is also written in the Book of Leviticus: “...cloud of incense” (Lev.16: 13). It was said about Aaron the chief priest: “Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die” (Lev.16: 12,13).
In directing His people in the Old Testament, whether in the Tabernacle or in the Sanctuary or in the Wilderness of Sinai, God appeared in the cloud or in the smoke. His guidance to the people in Sinai was in the form of an overshadowing cloud during the day, representing God who was overshadowing them. If the cloud moved, they knew that God was moving them so they moved. If the cloud settled, they settled (Num.9: 17). Thus it is written: “And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp” (Nurn.10: 34).