Care of the Tabernacle Lamps
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually. Outside the veil of the Testimony, in the tabernacle of meeting, Aaron shall be in charge of it from evening until morning before the Lord continually; it shall be a statute forever in your generations. He shall be in charge of the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the Lord continually.’”—Leviticus 24:1-4
Olive oil has long been a part of the world’s culture—not just in regards to food and health, but also in regards to religious worship.
In Leviticus 24 we see the children of Israel were commanded to bring pure oil of pressed olives to make the lamps burn continuously. There are a few things that are very interesting about this passage:
1. The children of Israel were involved in the upkeep and the maintenance of the temple. In fact, it was the children of Israel’s contribution that kept the light burning—it was not just the priests’ responsibility. The light of the temple required a community effort and commitment. Too many times in today’s culture we treat the temple of God (churches, synagogues etc.) as if it was someone else’s responsibility, when in fact the temple is our responsibility.
2. The Lord asked for a pure offering—an offering that came from pressed olives. When God asks for an offering He is looking for a pure offering, not a convenient offering. Many times the most costly offerings and sacrifices come from seasons of pressure where we have been crushed. Do not despise the situations or circumstances that give birth to pure oil in your life. These circumstances are making a way for a most beautiful and precious offering.
3. The light of the temple was supposed to burn continually. In 1 Corinthians 16:9 we are told that our bodies are temples. If we apply Leviticus 24:1-4 to our own lives, we are challenged to remember that the pure light of the Lord is to burn continually within us. This light is not something that we may turn on and off at our convenience—His light in us is meant to shine brightly continually. Too many times we turn off our light to be a part of things, conversations, or opportunities that we should not be participating in. This does not allow our light to burn continually before the Lord.
May your lamp burn bright and always for the Lord!
My Olive Tree is passionate about sponsoring olive trees in the land of Israel. If you would like to join us in our efforts and give an offering of “pure oil” and light please visit us at: www.MyOliveTree.com
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a partnership between the Evangelical community and the nation of Israel; this partnership will produce employment, income, and revenue for humanitarian aid projects in Israel. We envision the planting of one-million olive trees over the next seven years. This relationship was prophesied in the Bible centuries ago, that the foreigners and strangers (those not of Jewish descent) would help rebuild the walls of Israel and cause the desert to bloom (Isa 35:1). Among other things, this reforestation is an environmental blessing for the entire region. May all who participate in this project be blessed body, soul and spirit; it is time for you to take root in Israel!