Leviticus 24
EVERYONE’S RESPONISBILITY
The seven branched lampstand in the tabernacle did not keep burning all by itself. It took oil, care and tending for the light to keep shining. Everyone had a responsibility to keep the lamps burning. This was what God said: “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the Lord must be tended continually.” (Leviticus 24 v 2 – 4).
In Revelation John saw a vision of Jesus walking among seven golden lampstands. The meaning of his vision was explained when he was told, “The mystery of the … seven golden lampstands is this: … the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1 v 20).
It was all Israel who were to bring oil for the lamps. They were the ordinary, run-of-the-mill people just like you and me. We should be providing each other with the oil of joy and lighting each other’s way to God’s kingdom. And like the priests keeping the lamps tended, the leaders in our congregations should be keeping the light burning, caring for it, trimming it and making sure it is fed.
So let us encourage one another with the joy from the oil of the word. Every drop of encouragement and joy we receive will help keep our lamps burning. And for those of us who lead, let us care for and tend for the people God has given us in a way that will keep our communal light shining brightly.
May our love, joy and faith be an inspiration to others this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
This week check out what’s new at www.thinkythings.com. We have a couple of new short stories / meditations for Easter, and Sharon has posted the first in a series of Sharon’s Segments on the 23rd Psalm.
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