In the time of Moses, he was instructed by God Himself on Mount Sinai to construct an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. The instructions were detailed, expressing the kind of precision God demanded. The altar needed to be a cubit in length and breadth, square, and two cubits high, with four horns made from the same piece as the rest of it. This altar was to be overlaid with gold, including its top, sides, and the horns.

Additionally, Moses was commanded to craft a golden crown and two golden rings just beneath the crown for the staves, allowing the altar to be carried. The staves themselves were to be constructed out of acacia wood and covered in gold. Finally, this altar was to be placed before the veil of the Ark of Testimony, just before the mercy seat, for the Lord declared that He will commune with Moses there.

According to God’s command, Aaron, Moses’ brother, and the High Priest, was tasked with burning incense made of sweet spices on the altar every morning and evening when he lit the lamps. The aroma of this incense was to be perpetually before the Lord, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to Him. God also stated that no strange incense, burnt offering or drink offering should be added to this altar. Once a year, Aaron was to make atonement for it with the blood of the sin offering.

Moreover, God directed Moses on how to count the children of Israel, a step to prevent any form of plague when numbering them. Everyone over twenty years old, regardless of their wealth or social standing, was commanded to give half a shekel of sanctuary currency as a ransom for their souls. The money collected was to be allocated for maintaining the Tabernacle.

Following this instruction, God commanded Moses to create a brass laver or basin for washing. The laver was to be located between the Tabernacle and the altar, filled with water for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet afore offering sacrifices and entering the tent of meeting. This habitual washing was a perpetual requirement that played a crucial role in sanctifying Aaron and his offspring for generations to come.

God also demanded Moses to prepare a sacred anointing oil, a mixture comprising of ounces of liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil. The entire tabernacle and everything within, including Aaron and his sons, were to be anointed with this oil, setting them apart as holy. This specially curated oil was to be considered so sacred that it was not to be used for ordinary purposes, nor could it be recreated for personal use or applied on strangers.

Finally, God commanded Moses to create a special consecrated incense comprising of equal proportions of sweet spices like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. The recipe was to be followed exactly, and the resulting incense was to be considered most holy unto the Lord. This sacred incense was burned on the golden altar in the presence of God, a sign of the prayers of the people reaching His heavenly throne. Just like the anointing oil, this incense was not to be used for personal use, or the individual would face severe consequences.

In faithfully adhering to each of these directives, Moses demonstrated his obedience towards God’s commandments and led the children of Israel to honour Him in reverence, thus fostering a profound sense of sacredness and holiness in their shared religious life.