Overview
Incense held sacred significance in Israel's worship, prescribed by God for the tabernacle altar. The formula was carefully guarded and its unauthorized use was strictly forbidden. Korah's rebellion demonstrates God's serious judgment against those who presume to approach Him outside His appointed means.
Key Scriptures
"Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer; seasoned with salt, pure and holy" (Exodus 30:34-35, ESV).
"Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, took men; and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, rose up before Moses" (Numbers 16:1, ESV). Their rebellion involving unauthorized incense offerings resulted in the earth opening to swallow them (Numbers 16:31-35).
Application
Believers today should approach God only through Christ, recognizing that authentic worship follows God's established way rather than human presumption.