Daily Bread - Dec 21 2006

Leviticus 1:7 - "The sons of Aaron the priest shall stoke the fire on the altar and lay out wood on the fire."

It was not the responsibility of the Priest to light the fire for they were specifically commanded to keep the fire burning by stocking and adding wood to it (Leviticus 6:5-9, 12-13). The fire that burned upon the altar was lit by God (Leviticus 9:24; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1,3; 1 Kings 18:38; Acts 2:3). It was from this divine fire that all other fires and lights in the sanctuary were to be made (Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:46).

God would not tolerate a fire that was produced by man in His house. Such a fire whether on a candle or in the bowl of incense was considered strange fire and carried with it the penalty of death (Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 3:4; 26:61). It was out of the fire of God that Moses received the revelation of who Yahowah God is (Exodus 3:2; 19:18; 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:12,33, 36,5:4,22,24; 9:10; 10:4). It was by the fire of God that the Israelites were led and given light in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). The fire of God sanctified the place that God had ordained and designed for worship (Exodus 40:38). It was by the fire of God that all who desired to worship would present their offerings (Exodus 30:20; Leviticus 1:9; 2:2).

The fire of God is also central to worship in the New Testament ( John 4:23; Philippians 3:3; Jude 20). Jesus Christ is given the ministry of baptizing those who come to Him with the fire of God. Those who were baptized in the Holy Ghost and Fire on the day of Pentecost spoke forth the word of God and worshiped in Spirit as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 14:2). Every offering and act of worship is to be produced by the same fire of the Holy Spirit that Jesus has come to baptize us with. To arise and shine with the glory of God as lights unto the world we must be set on fire by the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 60:1; Ephesians 5:8; Matthew 5:14).

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org