I was reading the other day in Leviticus. I know what you are thinking already…why? I sometimes like to read Leviticus or Deuteronomy to try and find some nuggets that I haven’t seen before. Well, I was reading in Leviticus 6 and I came across this:
Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it is not to go out.
It is actually in verse 13 and it is a command. It is a command to keep the fire on the altar going at all times. It is stressed because it is also mentioned in verses 9 & 12, so that is why it stuck out to me. Why would it be mentioned three times? Is God a pyro? Does He just really like fire? Is it really safe to have a fire going at all times in a tent? I remember one time I wanted to start a fire in a tent and my dad got furious… wait, I’m getting off topic. If you study the Bible for very long, you learn to look for things. Anytime you see something twice, there is usually an important meaning surrounding it. If you see it three times, you can be assured it’s important.
God tells Moses three times, “Do not let the fire go out.” Why is it so important to God that the fire burn continually? Why was this an issue? As I looked at this I came away with several conclusions.
God kept the fires of the altar going all the time as a constant reminder to the people that forgiveness was final. The priest would offer a sacrifice each day for the people and He wanted them to know that His forgiveness was eternal. The constant reminder of the fire let the people know that their sin was dealt with eternally. Each morning at the beginning of the day, the priests would get up and take away the ash heap and place new wood on the altar in preparation for that days sacrifice. The sacrifice was for the people and their sin. But not just their sin, it was also a symbol that God was with them; He was in communion with them. When Israel was being led through the desert they followed a cloud by day and a fire by night. God was in the cloud and the fire. The fire in the Tabernacle represented His forgiveness and His presence.
Today in our churches we need a fire that will burn constantly. We need a fire that will burn in our churches and serve as a reminder that God’s forgiveness is eternal. We need a fire in our churches that families can come and draw from and take it back to their homes and offices and schools and spread light and hope in those places. As the church becomes a place with constant fire, the children of God can borrow from the altar and fuel their families, their relationships and their lives with a consuming fire that cries out to Jesus as our Savior and Forgiveness. Let’s not get bogged down in the entanglement of sin that discourages and wears down our desire to know God more. Instead let’s carry our torches for all to see! A torch that was lit in the sanctuary. Church, that is your call! Be that fire that will fuel God’s children to action and love.
Simply Craig Yates 