15 September Leviticus 6

Don't let your fire go out.

That fire will be kept burning all day and all night without ceasing. When God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he went before them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of flame at night as confirmed by:

Leviticus 6:9 (NIV) “Give Aaron and his sons this command: ‘These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar”.

Leviticus 6:12 (NIV) “The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it”.

Leviticus 6:13 (NIV) “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out”.

That fire will be kept burning all day and all night without ceasing. When God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he went before them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of flame at night. Exodus 13:21 (NIV) “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night”.

Once the Tabernacle was built, God’s “cloud” descended and filled it with his holy presence. The Tabernacle became the Tent of Meeting, where humans could meet with God.

So what does the fire under the altar of burnt offering do? It provides a pillar of smoke during the day and the light of the flames at night…right in the centre of the camp. An altar is a designated place of communion & communication between man and the spirit realm. In this case, the altar was a designated place of communion between the Israelites and their God.

Albeit, here was God telling His children to keep the fire on this altar burning—this symbolises God’s instruction to His children to keep their communication, fellowship, and communion with Him burning nonstop, never-ending. Every morning, the priest adds firewood, arranges the burnt offering on the fire, and burns the fat of the fellowship offerings. The burnt offering signified the life of who presents himself or herself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord, whose sacrifices ascend to the Lord in heaven with the pleasant aroma from the sacrifice.

Paul writes to the Roman Church in Romans 12:1-2 (AMP) “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]”.

We are God’s burnt offering, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to Him. Every morning, the firewood to our burnt offering includes our daily walk with God. We start every day intentionally, focusing on God, making him the centre of our life, continuously in our daily walk with him, with prayer, studying the Bible, allowing God to speak to us and doing his will.

In conclusion, just as the fire on the altar in Leviticus was to be kept burning continuously, our relationship with God requires constant attention and dedication. The fire represents not only the physical presence of God among the Israelites but also the spiritual commitment we must maintain in our daily lives. As living sacrifices, we are called to present ourselves wholly to God, ensuring that our communion with Him is unbroken and that our lives emit a pleasing aroma to Him through our thoughts, actions, and dedication.

Each day, we must actively tend to our spiritual fire by renewing our minds, focusing on God’s will, and allowing His presence to guide us. This continuous offering of ourselves keeps the fire of our faith burning brightly, illuminating our path and drawing us closer to God. In doing so, we fulfil His command to keep the fire burning on the altar of our hearts, never allowing it to go out, so His light shines through us in all circumstances.