A vessel is something that is created for a very specific purpose.

We go back to the tabernacle of God, to understand the use of vessels in serving God and how each vessel is unique, but all used in the combined worship and service to Yahweh God.

In contrast to the two bronze vessels in the Outer Court, the vessels in the Holy Place were constructed with gold. The Golden Lampstand was made of one solid gold piece, while the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense were of wood overlaid with gold. The vessels in the Outer Court were designed to deal with sin and ceremonial defilement. The vessels within the Holy Place were designed to manifest God and His glory. The vessels in the Holy Place were made of gold to express this change in purpose, gold being more attractive and costly than bronze.

That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ

-1 Peter 1:7

The Golden Lampstand (Ex 25.31-40; 37.17-24; 39.37)

Apart from the Lampstand there would have been no light for the priest as he offered incense or handled the bread. The outer Veil cuts off the natural light. The seven lamps ensured that there was adequate light to work with. The golden boards that lined the Tabernacle must have reflected the light of the Lampstand and made it a beautiful place in which to serve.

The Table of Shewbread (Ex 25.23-30; Lev 24.5-9)

The Table of Shewbread emphasised that the Tabernacle was a place where man could have fellowship with God, albeit this fellowship was through the priest. The ordinary man could not approach the Holy Place.

The table is the place where people share meals together. It symbolises friendship and fellowship. It speaks of kindness and hospitality. David famously refers to a table spread by the Lord in Psalm 23 even when he was surrounded by his enemies. In the New Testament the Lord Jesus sat at the same table as “publicans and sinners” (Mt 9.10). He sat at the table in the home in Bethany (Jn 12.2), and again with His disciples in the Upper Room before Calvary (Lk 22.21).

The Altar of Incense (Ex 27.1-8)

Also known as the Golden Altar, this item in the Tabernacle was made of shittim wood overlaid with gold. It stood before the Veil. It was a far smaller altar than the Brazen Altar that stood in the Court. It was not used to offer animals but to burn incense.

Coals from the Brazen Altar were taken into the Holy Place in a censer, a small vessel that contained the live coals, and placed on the top of the altar. Thereupon a cloud of incense would rise. Unlike the smoke of the Brazen altar which would rise to heaven, the incense would fill the Holy Place. Incense represents the prayers of the people. The connection between prayer and incense is made clear in Psalm 141.2, Revelation 5.8 and 8.3. This indicates that prayers are not demanding and tiresome to God but pleasing to Him.