TENDED CONTINUALLY: As "priests" of God, we tend our
"lamps" by daily study and meditation on the word of God, which is OUR lamp and
light: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psa
119:105).
"Is it not the essential condition of even human friendship
that enlightenment should be a thing of normal habit? But enlightenment is not
native: darkness is. Enlightenment to be attained or retained must be kindled by
external appliance, and there must be renewal. Light the lamp and leave it, and
it will become dark again. It is so on all subjects, especially the knowledge of
God, for which the mind has the least affinity. Dress the lamps every morning.
Read the Bible every day. This will keep you supplied with oil that will cause
light. 'Thy word is light': it is the light. 'Thy word is truth': it is the
truth. Any other truth is darkness for the highest purpose of life, as all men
will feel when suddenly confronted with the glory of God at the coming of
Christ. Knowledge of mines: knowledge of metals: knowledge of countries:
knowledge of languages or of physical elements -- is all very well in its place:
it is the knowledge of God and His ways and His intentions and His will that
constitutes the true light of life" (LM 192).
In Christ's parable, the foolish virgins did not tend their
individual lamps as they should, so that they ran out of oil. When the
Bridegroom arrived, they were not prepared to go forth and meet him; sadly, they
found the door shut in their faces (Mat 25:3,8,9).
Lev 24:5
CAKES: From Heb "kawlan" = puncture, wound. Cp Isa
53:5-7. Christ is the "bread" (Joh 6:33,48-51), punctured/wounded!
Lev 24:7
ALONG EACH ROW PUT SOME PURE INCENSE: The memorial
bread is associated, not for the first time (cp Lev 2:2) with frankincense --
the symbol of Jesus' priesthood -- for he is our high priest for ever after the
order of Melchizedek.
Lev 24:8
THIS BREAD IS TO BE SET OUT BEFORE THE LORD REGULARLY:
Setting "in order" is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo
26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11;
29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.
SABBATH AFTER SABBATH... AS A LASTING COVENANT: Thus
there was to be continual remembrance every Sabbath -- this was an everlasting
covenant. The bread, fresh each week, and the incense of the High Priest, point
to the great High Priest who took bread and said, "This is my body", and who
then laid down his life to fulfill the everlasting covenant. We remember this
every first day, each week, with bread!
Lev 24:10
Vv 10,11: This event seems to be out of place and unrelated to
the details of the purity of the Law, but it is not. It shows an example of how
purity and holiness were not manifest in the daily lives of the people of
Israel. The son was born of two "unequally yoked". The tension between the
origins of the two men is clearly seen, and results in physical violence. This
led to his blasphemy of the Most Holy God.
Lev 24:12
THEY PUT HIM IN CUSTODY UNTIL THE WILL OF THE LORD SHOULD
BE MADE CLEAR TO THEM: This demonstrates that the Law of Moses did not have
an immediate answer to every situation.
Lev 24:14
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Mat
12:31).