He was chosen by lot. In order to remove the "human element," specially marked stones were used to determine who was to do each separate part of the worship to God (compare Proverbs 16:33; Acts 1:26). So he went into the temple of the Lord. Into the Holy Place. Philo mentions an Altar of Incense placed between the Seven-branched Lampstand and the [table which held] the Bread of the Presence. [Hebrews 9:4 speaks of a "gold altar for the burning of incense" in the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in the Tent (the portable temple originally used in the Wilderness).] Incense was burned on the altar in the Holy Place each morning and evening. This was such an honor, that no one was permitted to do this more than once. It brought the serving priest closer to the Divine Presence in the Most Holy Place than any other priestly service, and because of the special blessing connected with it, it was believed that all should have their time to share in it.

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Old Testament