The Literal Commandment
"You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
(Exodus 30:32-33)
This commandment provides a prohibition against pouring out anything other than incense upon the golden altar of incense.
Messiah Says
Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)
Pictures of Messiah
Incense pictures the prayers of believers (Revelation 5:8). The prayers ascend to the throne of G-d. Messiah declared that no one comes to the father except by Him (John 14:6). So the golden altar is a picture of Messiah.
What about the incense itself? Perhaps it is the good deeds of the believers in following G-d's Law. As it is written by wise Solomon:
He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. (Proverbs 28:9)
How Messiah Fulfilled
This particular commandment must have been fulfilled by an Aaronic priest for only they were allowed to offer incense upon the golden altar. We know that Messiah did not violate this commandment in any way for He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Traditional Observance
Traditional observance of this commandment is for the Aaronic priests to only put incense upon the golden altar.
Other Notes
This negative commandment can be observed by everyone today by abstaining from burning anything other than incense upon the golden altar.
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