Leviticus 6:8–13.8 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. 10 And the priest shall put on his linen garment and put his linen undergarment on his body, and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar. 11 Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. 12 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. 13 Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. (ESV)
Presently we live in a very contentious time of international relations. Previous international organizations, treaties, systems and trade have been disrupted. As Canadians we face the continued threat of tariffs which could result in thousands of jobs lost and major economic disruptions. The discussions of which have led us into a provincial election. National public and private interest groups are frantic in their discussions and the political, and economic offerings have a potential of national upheaval.
Leviticus 6-7 concerns the Handling of the Offerings unto the Lord. This section focuses on issues related to the proper handling, eating, and disposal of the various sacrifices and offerings. The sacrifices and offerings are either “holy” or “most holy” and must therefore be treated with due respect. If this was not done, the offering would not count and the offender would be punished (cf. 7:18, 20–21). God commands the priests to maintain the perpetual light of the fire on the altar, symbolizing His presence and the ongoing need for spiritual vigilance in worship. (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 223). Crossway Bibles.)
As believers in Christ, we are encouraged to not let our light go out and to keep our spiritual fervor alive. This section is a reminder of the danger of neglecting our faith which can lead to extinguishing the light of God's presence in our lives. It’s not one of losing salvation for a genuine believer but realizing the challenge to continually foster our relationship with God through prayer, worship, and service. Maintaining the fire of faith requires intentionality and regular commitment to God’s call, highlighting the communal responsibility of supporting one another in spiritual growth.
In Leviticus 6:9-13, we are cautioned to not light our light go out in three ways as illustrated through recognizing first, the: 1) Perpetual Presence of God (Leviticus 6:9-10), 2) Preventing Spiritual Extinguishment (Leviticus 6:11-12) and 3) Perseverance in Christ's Light (Leviticus 6:13)
First, we are cautioned to not light our light go out as illustrated through recognizing the:
1) Perpetual Presence of God (Leviticus 6:9-10)
Leviticus 6:9–10.8 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. 10 And the priest shall put on his linen garment and put his linen undergarment on his body, and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar.
From verse 8 we know that it was the Lord who spoke to Moses, saying in verse 9 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. Our attention is drawn to the fire on the bronze altar, which consumed the burnt offering and all the other offerings that involved burning, including the fatty parts of the peace offerings (6:12). It is forcefully emphasized in three verses that this fire must not be allowed to go out. It is put first in a simple, positive way: ‘… the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it’ (6:9). This is then repeated with an additional negative statement: ‘… it shall not go out’ (6:12, ESV). Finally, all is repeated with the addition of the word ‘continually’: ‘Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out’ (6:13, ESV). It has been suggested that it was because fire from heaven lit the first burnt offerings in both the tabernacle and later the temple that the law is so insistent on keeping the fire alight. (John Calvin John Calvin, Commentaries on the Four Last Books of Moses arranged in the form of a Harmony, Baker reprint, 1979)
In addition to the occasional burnt offerings brought by individual Israelites, there were also daily sacrifices offered morning and evening. These were burnt offerings and grain offerings for the people as a whole (Exod 29:38–46; Num 28:1–8). The daily evening sacrifice is the subject of 6:9 (cf 2 Kgs 16:15; Ezra 9:4–5; Dan 9:21). The daily morning ritual is mentioned elsewhere as a reminder for God’s people to spend time in prayer and communion with God (cf Ps 5:3), who not only wants to provide atonement for his people but take care of all their needs (see Ps 103:3–6) (Baker, D. W. (1996). Leviticus. In P. W. Comfort (Ed.), Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Vol. 2, p. 44). Tyndale House Publishers.)
Divine fire miraculously devoured the first sacrifice (9:24; cf. 2 Chr. 7:1), and ‘It is this fire’, comments the Jewish scholar, Jacob Milgrom ‘which is not allowed to die out so that all subsequent sacrifices might claim divine acceptance.’ The implication is that when any future sacrifice was burned on the altar it was the Lord who consumed it with fire. From the beginning Israel was made aware of the fire of the divine presence in the cloudy pillar of fire and on Mount Sinai. That same fire of God’s glory came near to the people and accepted them through the offerings that were burned. (Jacob Milgrom Jacob Milgrom, Anchor Bible, Leviticus 1–16, Doubleday, 1991; Leviticus 17–22, Doubleday, 2000; Leviticus 23–27, Doubleday, 2001)
We see from verse 10, that the priests’ holy garments were to be made of ‘linen’. A linen undergarment that prevented immodest exposure as the priest ascended and descended the altar ramp. This modesty communicated to the Israelites that human sexuality could not influence God. That idea was a central feature of Baal worship, which continually tempted the Israelites. The priests of Baal would use obscene gestures and actions in the pagan worship of their depraved god. (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version (Le 6:10). T. Nelson Publishers.)
Please turn to John 3 (p.834)
Human beings are in a state of moral uncleanness due to sin. Before we can live in God’s holy city and come into the presence of the holy God we need to be washed and made clean. Against this background and that of the prophets (see Ezek. 36:25–27), we can understand Paul’s reference to the ‘washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5). This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus that he needed to be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).
John 3:1-15. 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (ESV)
• This discussion of the need for spiritual rebirth further develops the earlier reference to the “children of God” who are “born of God” (1:12–13; cf. 8:39–58; 11:51–52). The phrase born of water and the Spirit in 3:5 refers to spiritual birth, which cleanses from sin and brings spiritual transformation and renewal. Water here does not refer to the water of physical birth, nor is it that it refers to baptism. The background is probably Ezek. 36:25–27, where God promises, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean.… And I will give you a new heart.… And I will put my Spirit within you. (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2024). Crossway Bibles.)
Jesus mentioned this twofold cleansing when he took a towel to wash his disciples’ feet. To Peter’s request for other parts of his body to be washed after first being reluctant to allow Jesus to wash his feet, Jesus said, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you’ (John 13:10, ESV). While eleven of the disciples were clean in the sense that they had already known the Spirit’s cleansing work in the new birth, they still needed daily cleansing from their sins through Christ’s atoning blood.
Quotation: Recognizing the Perpetual Presence of God will radically transform everything you do. Not only in what is going on in worship, work or recreation, but think of the impact if we considered God in our midst in how we deal with others. As we do unto others we do unto Christ. Christ knows the intention of our heart, the words we speak and the action or inaction for others. Consider how our prayer life would be transformed if we actually realized that we are speaking to God and He hears us. R. A. Torrey said in regard to Praying to a Present God: “In order that a prayer should be really unto God, there must be a definite and conscious approach to God when we pray; we must have a definite and vivid realization that God is bending over us and listening as we pray”. (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 29:12; Philippians 4:6) (Ritzema, E., & Vince, E., eds. (2013). 300 quotations for preachers from the Modern church. Lexham Press.)
Second, we are cautioned to not light our light go out as illustrated through recognizing the:
2) Preventing Spiritual Extinguishment (Leviticus 6:11-12)
Leviticus 6:11-12. 11 Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. 12 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.
In days before central heating, it was a daily ritual, first thing in the morning, to clear away the dust and ash in the hearth after the previous day’s coal and wood had been burned up. The ash would be placed in the bin that was emptied each week when the refuse collectors came round. Similarly, the first duty of the priests each morning was the removal of the enormous amount of ash that had accumulated at the altar hearth after the previous day’s offerings had been burned up. The ash was initially removed to the side of the altar and afterwards taken ‘outside the camp to a clean place’ (6:11). While holiness was compatible with a clean place even though the latter had not been set apart as holy, it was not compatible with a supposedly holy environment that had become polluted. When the priest on duty had collected the ash from the altar area he was required to change his clothes again before removing it from the tabernacle courtyard. His holy garments were reserved for use at the sanctuary, so he put on ordinary clothing when taking the ash to ‘a clean place’ outside the camp (6:11; cf. 4:12). Ceremonially clean and unclean areas outside the camp were specified for the disposal of various types of waste (see 14:40–45; 16:27–28; Num. 19:9). A special ash dump existed outside the walls of Jerusalem to the north. Milgrom mentions that it has been chemically analysed and found ‘to consist exclusively of the remains of animal flesh, bones and teeth’ (vol. 1, p.240). See also Jeremiah 31:40; Ezekiel 43:21. This menial task could not be undertaken by ordinary Israelites. Only the priests from Aaron’s family could approach the altar to remove the ash (see Exod. 28:1; Lev. 8–9). They were not allowed to wear what they liked to do this. When functioning in their official capacity in the tabernacle or approaching the bronze altar, they were required to put on special priestly clothes—a ‘linen garment’. There is always a dignity and an importance attached to the performance of the tasks which the Lord assigns to his servants, no matter how trivial the work may appear to be (Harrison, R. K. (1980). Leviticus: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 77–78). InterVarsity Press.)
• This serves as an analogy for believers to examine and cleanse their own lives from sin, inviting daily spiritual renewal through confession and repentance. Jesus’ work provides the basis for this continual cleansing and empowers believers to reflect His purity and holiness in their lives.
Please turn to Hebrews 12 (p.949)
The reference in Leviticus 6:12 to a fire that must be kept burning, alludes to the presence of God and how the recognition of that presence is an aid for our preventing of a spiritual extinguishment. The fire was to be kept going from night until morning…Although the reason for this instruction is not provided, … this provision made it possible for a soothing aroma to ascend continually without interruption (Hartley, Leviticus, 96. Similarly, Kaiser, “Leviticus,” 1044.). The care and maintenance of a continual fire upon the altar is related to the association of God with fire (Rooker, M. F. (2000). Leviticus (Vol. 3A, p. 128). Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
The author to the Hebrews explains in Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12:18–29. 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. (ESV)
• To try to approach God by our works is to come to Sinai and to discover that our works fall short and cannot save us. To trust in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ is to come to Zion, where our heavenly High Priest will mediate for us and bring us to the Father, and where we find reconciliation, peace, and eternal life. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1983). Hebrews (p. 418). Moody Press.)
Keep the Lights Bright (Matthew 5:16)
“Let your light so shine before men.” (Matt. 5:16).
Illustration: Once one finds that reconciliation, peace, and eternal life, Christ calls us in places like Mt. 5:16 to let our light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
DL Moody told the story of a keeper of the lighthouse at Calais France that was boasting of the brightness of his lighthouse, which can be seen ten leagues (34 miles) at sea. A visitor said to him, “What if one of the lights should by chance go out?” “Never! Impossible!” he cried, horrified at the thought. “Sir,” he said, pointing to the ocean, “yonder, where nothing can be seen there are ships going by to all parts of the world. If tonight one of my lamps went out, within six months would come a letter, perhaps from India, perhaps from America, perhaps from some place I never heard of, saying, ‘Such a night, at such an hour, the light of Calais burned dim, the watchman neglected his post, and vessels were in danger!’ Ah, sir, sometimes in the dark nights, in stormy weather, I look out to sea, and feel as if the eyes of the whole world were looking at my light. Go out? Burn dim? Never!” (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). AMG Publishers.)
On this story, Moody remarked: “I thought, what an illustration of fathers and mothers to-day that have let their lights go out! You are not training your children for God and eternity. You do not live as though there were anything beyond this life at all. You keep your affections set upon things on the earth instead of on things above, and the result is that the children do not believe there is anything in Christianity. Perhaps the very next step they take may take them into eternity; the next day they may die without God and without hope” (Moody, D. L. (1899). Moody’s Stories: Being a Second Volume of Anecdotes, Incidents and Illustrations (pp. 32–33). Fleming H. Revell.).
We often think that the call for Preventing Spiritual Extinguishment is merely a personal matter in the call for spiritual devotion. But we often find ourselves in positions of responsibility as leaders, parents, teachers or even the impact that a positive or negative testimony can have.
Finally, we are cautioned to not light our light go out as illustrated through recognizing the:
3) Perseverance in Christ's Light (Leviticus 6:13)
Leviticus 6:13. 13 Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. (ESV)
As the priests were instructed to keep the fire burning in order to emphasize the priestly role and the sacred duty to maintain holiness. This evokes the need for consistent commitment in believers today to remain spiritually vibrant and engaged in their faith journey through prayer and worship, reflecting Jesus as our ultimate High Priest who intercedes on our behalf and sustains our spiritual fire. The continual burning of the offering signified the dedication of the people to God (Thomas Nelson, I. (1995). The Woman’s Study Bible. Thomas Nelson.)
• There is a great need for believers to cultivate a constant devotion to God, actively participating in acts of worship and service. Through Jesus, the everlasting sacrifice, believers are equipped to maintain their spiritual vitality, demonstrating His light and holiness in an ever-darkening world.
Please turn to Hebrews 7 (p.944)
If the perpetual fire represents God’s eternal presence with his people, the Christian is reminded to keep the divine fire ever burning within them. In the words of Paul, “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19ff.). The reason for the continued perseverance in Christ is do to Christ’s continual work for us. For Christians, this serves as a good reminder of the constant presence of God with us through the Spirit. Unlike the presence of the Spirit in the Old Testament, which came upon people (1 Sam 10:10; 16:13) and then could depart (1 Sam 16:14), God’s presence is permanently with all believers through the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:20; Acts 2:4). (Baker, D. W. (1996). Leviticus. In P. W. Comfort (Ed.), Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (Vol. 2, p. 44). Tyndale House Publishers.)
The writer to the Hebrews tells of this tremendous blessing of God with us in Christ, in comparing Jesus to Melchizedek:
Hebrews 7:13–25. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
• The encouragement to “draw near” to God’s throne implies that Christians have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. We can draw near to God because Jesus Christ always lives to make intercession (that is, to bring the requests of believers to the Father; cf. Rom. 8:34) for those who approach God through him. Since the ever-living Christ intercedes for believers, they can have great confidence that they will never perish. In fact, they can know that “all things” in their lives will “work together for good” (Rom. 8:28), for God the Father will answer the prayers of his Son. ( Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2372). Crossway Bibles.)
We are to offer ourselves according to Romans 12 as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1–2). Thinking literally of being that offering on the altar, often when things get hot we want to crawl off. There is a challenge to every believer today because God delights in the continual obedience of His children. (McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Law (Leviticus 1-14) (electronic ed., Vol. 6, p. 74). Thomas Nelson.)
Hymn: Charles Wesley brings this all together in one of his hymns: “O thou who earnest from above, The pure celestial fire to impart, Kindle a flame of sacred love, On the mean altar of my heart. There let it for Thy glory burn, With inextinguishable blaze, And trembling to its source return, In humble prayer and fervent praise”. (Charles Westley as quoted in Wenham, G. J. (1979). The Book of Leviticus (p. 120). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
(Format Note: Some base commentary from Eveson, P. H. (2007). The Beauty of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus Simply Explained (pp. 84–88). Evangelical Press.)
