PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 23-249
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Bring clear oil of pressed olives so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.” (Leviticus 24:1)
There are so many offerings and sacrifices, festivals and other laws to keep.
And the pressure is on the people to supply what is needed to keep it all going.
Like the ever-burning lamp, and the perpetual loaves of bread, it was up to them.
Some might say that this is what God deserves, and what they owe for all that God does.
Maybe so, but what a burden of obligation and judgment for failure (cut off, destroyed, stoned).
The meanings behind these laws and practices are good, but it all seems impossible to me.
Peter calls the Law “a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10)
Others say that this is the point, a reminder of our perpetual need for grace and mercy.
We are not under this burden; we cannot and do not need to ‘keep it all going’.
Jesus is the lamb, Jesus is the sacrifice, Jesus is the rest, Jesus takes the death penalty.
Jesus is the bread of life, Jesus provides the Spirit (oil) to keep our hearts burning.
We are not under the Law, we are under grace, a grace that helps us honour God well.
I do not burn continually for the Lord, but thankfully he is burning for me, and in me.
My hope and rest is not in keeping these or any rules, but in letting him supply what I need.
PRAYER
Lord, I run out everyday, I cannot keep it going. Thank you for providing everything I need, for being my sacrifice, my bread, my oil, my saviour from death. You are my all in all!
Stop working and take the time to honour the Lord – to take the time to listen and rest. “I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day.” God is serious and He is to be taken seriously. If I make a vow whatever it is, I am to follow through. But even now when we don’t have all these laws anymore – instead the HS guides us – even so – we need to take the time out and quit working – quit doing and be serious about worshipping God – taking time out! We need to be deliberate and not so casual! I am rewarded when I do take time to rest and set aside time for prayer and devotions! Also time for worship and prayer! God is Holy – I should not blaspheme Him or take Him for granted!
Laws for living. Do this and live. The people of God then obeyed the word of the Lord as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Then Jesus came and it is through Him I am able to do His will – obey His Word. Jesus is the answer today. Love the Lord. Love your neighbour. Living for Jesus everyday as He leads and guides me in all I do and say but I need to focus daily on Jesus to pilot me and then and only then am I obeying His will with my life.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee–
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!