Leviticus 24: And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the Lord continually: it shall be a statute forever in your generations. 4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the Lord continually.
In the giving of the Law instructions were given on how to build the tabernacle. It would be in the midst of the people. When entering Canaan, it would be their tabernacle until the temple was built. God would dwell with the children of Israel through it. Because of unbelief they wandered a long time in the wilderness. During that time God ordered how his house would be so that God could come to man.
We can’t set up just any kind of structure and expect God to be in it. In the past hundred years there has been every kind of Christianity put out there. There is one way and man had nothing to do with it. God’s nation and his house were set up with God-given instructions. Jesus Christ entered the veil. For God to bless this house—our church—he must first bless this house—you and me. Then we can be a help.
As God laid down the structure and what it would mean, he gave instructions on how to maintain it. The tabernacle was built with heavy materials and every item was vital to another function. The Table of Shewbread was on one side and the candlestick was on the other. There was one in the middle and three on either side. It was not just a light. That’s what we notice especially if they are not working right. The lamps gave the light. If they were allowed to go out, there would be darkness because there were no windows. These weren’t normal candles. Each had a reservoir with fuel to keep it going. It had to be a particular fuel. Nothing else was allowed but pure olive oil and it had to burn continually. The priests and Levites couldn’t do it by themselves. People had to bring the oil. This oil could have been used for many other purposes but God said bring it to him and he’d take care of the rest.
What does this have to do with us? In the ceremonial part we see how important that the light not go out in our life. If the wax in a candle is contaminated it will flicker and go out. It’s like keeping a fire in the stove. It needs fuel that will burn. We have to keep giving things to God that he can use. We have the structure but we need to keep it going. The children of Israel faced many dangers but they kept setting the tabernacle up and gave their best oil. They made it to the Promised Land. If we’re going to make it, by all means keep our lamp burning. The light needs to be kept lit or else there is darkness and things get out of kilter. There is enough darkness in this world. We don’t need to allow our lights to dim or go out. Keep a humble heart dedicated to the Lord. Stand for him. Be his people. Live right. Choose to do right and refuse to do wrong. That’s fuel to keep the light burning.
God made a way for Israel. The heathen tribes occupying the land were brought down. God took Israel through giving them the victory all because the people kept supplying oil. A pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night led the way. The people kept giving oil and the lamp of God was over Israel in a dark world. God has placed a candlestick in the midst of this world through his people. I’m thankful to be a branch of his candlestick. Jesus hung on his own candlestick on Calvary and by giving him our heart we are saved. His body was taken to a tomb and before sunrise on the third day a light shined through.
To keep shining, keep going to him. Keep the reservoir full. Be faithful to God. Don’t deny the Master. Every day we’re faithful our light shines bright. The only way to shine is to keep the fuel. Our faith and dedication is the fuel he uses. God ordered that the lamps not go out. Otherwise it would be dark. If our light goes out the darkness will be great. We’re not as young as we used to be but we still have what we had the day we were saved.
It was the Lord’s light, but the people supplied the oil. How bright is your lamp? Have you cut down on the fuel supply? With little fuel you’ll have only a flicker. Let Jesus have your fuel. Ask the Lord to brighten your lamp and ignite a fresh flame.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 