THE FIRE MUST NOT DIE!

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE FIRE MUST NOT DIE!*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Exodus 27:20-21

*And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.*

*In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

The oil must continue to flow. The fire must continue to burn!

*Scripture Commentaries.*

God gave specific instructions for the construction of the altar.

He specifically instructed the altar design and construction. The construction must follow His instruction not according to human design.

Of special mention was the command to provide pure olive oil for the lampstand, which represents the Holy Spirit.

The significance of this oil will lay the foundation of what must follow the symbol and presence of God among His people.

The oil will cause the lamp to burn always.

*"......Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.* Exd

27:20.

Besides the oil which represents the Holy Spirit, the constant tending and nurturing by Aaron's sons symbolizes the need for daily dependence on God to ensure the light did not go out.

The significance of the perpetual fire represents God's constant presence and guidance.  

The oil and fire and on the lampstand in the Old Testament were a prototype and became symbols of the Holy Spirit.

Today in the congregation of God's people

pure olive oil and fire highlight the need for ongoing, high-quality worship and a communal responsibility to provide for religious service. 

While the oil remains a symbol of a fresh start and consecration, the fire remains a symbol of an unrelenting life of active service.

You can not be dormant in service if you have the fire. One may be dormant after an anointing that he refuses to continually nurture daily. You can be dormant, if you do not tend the lamp of oil to keep the fire burning.

After the initial oil, called the anointing for service, the constant need for the anointing with oil, called fresh oil, (ref Psa 92:10) points to the need for a continuous filling of the Spirit in one's life, not just a reliance on past experiences. 

Oil is poured on the head. Fire brings light and we become a light by the burning light.

Matt 5:14 calls us *"....the light of the world..."*

Acts 13:47 calls us *"....'a light to the Gentiles..."*

Moses anointed Aaron and his sons with oil and this designated them for their holy service and set them apart for God's work, Exd 30:30. 

Saul was anointed for service, 1 Sam 9: 15-16; 10:1.

The fire that came with it was the Spirit of God that came upon him which made him prophesy and he was turned into another man.

From that day, Saul did as occasion served him because God was with him, 1 Sam 9:16-17, 10:1-12.

David was anointed for service, 1 Sam 16:1-13.

The daily tending by Aaron's sons points to the need for believers' need to daily rely on God and the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. 

The fire that burns on the altar symbolizes the fire that will burn from God.

As this was authorized by God so it is expected that every act of humans perceived as representing God which provides miracles of 'powerful' manifestations of signs and wonders are strange fires because they are not commanded by God.

This was the case in Lev 16:1 when God struct the sons of Aaron for their

unauthorized, profane, and illegitimate offering made to God. This was counted as strange fire.

While the fire remains one of God's ways of ensuring spiritual awakening, His anger is usually through fire.

God rained fire from Heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen 19:24.

Heb 12:29 says God is a consuming fire.

A major lesson in Lev 16:1 was God's way of telling us that any fire of service we hope to ignite that is not commanded by God, is considered strange unlike the fire that comes from the Lord to consume the offerings we make to Him.

We must remember that the oil must not dry. The fire must not go out.

*Remorse corner.*

The oil and burning of the oil must be daily for the believer. It is from evening to morning,” “forever,” and “throughout their generations.”

*Call to Word action.*

God brought the fire that represented His presence with the Israelites on their way out of Egypt into His Tabernacle to guide the service and an everlasting covenant with His people.

Exd 13:21 *And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:*

*He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

The fire that did not go out in the wilderness must not go out in our service to Him.

*Prayer.*

Lord help me to keep your fire burning in me, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.