This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.
Leviticus 24:3b

March 1, 2004 - 61/305

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I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself

 The priest had a lot on his plate and I'm not talking about food, but rather his duties. Outside the room where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, a pure gold lampstand with seven lamps, or candlewicks, was placed. Alongside it was the Altar of Incense and the Table of Shewbread - all three fundamental articles of worship used to intercede for God's people.

The fire of the lampstand was to be kept burning continually. That meant that during the day, Aaron had to check to insure the flame did not go out. And when the tent was broken down in order to be transported to another site, he was responsible for relighting the wicks on the stand when the Tabernacle was setup at its new location.

The oil used to light the lamps was provided by beating or pressing olives, something that likely symbolizes the filling of the Holy Spirit. Since the only light in the dark tent came from the stand, the continual light foreshadows the work of the Holy Spirit in believers. He light ups our dark world by giving light to those of us who are doing God's work.

Let's leave the Old Testament to look at an event in Jesus' ministry on earth. Some parents found out where Jesus was teaching and brought their kids to him to get a "special" blessing. Unlike his disciples, Jesus expressed a love for having children around. He loved their innocence, their dependence on someone bigger than themselves and their willingness to trust someone without being skeptical or cynical. Jesus would later pray, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things (kept in darkness) from the wise and revealed them (shown light) to little children." (Mk 10:13-16; Mt 11:25)

Just as the lamp in the Tabernacle brought light to the priests to do their work, the Holy Spirit lights our way. He reminds us what to do and helps us take Jesus' light into a world dying in darkness. But are we shining like we should?

What are you doing with the light Jesus has provided you? You aren't still living in darkness are you? That's what someone does who doesn't know the Savior. How sad for someone knowing Jesus to sit in the dark when there's a light and work freely available for the asking!

 

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Lv. 24:1-25:46 Mk. 10:13-31 Ps. 44:8-26 Pr. 10:20-21 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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