Leviticus 24:3
Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come.
Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting
This phrase refers to the specific location within the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God met with His people. The "veil of the Testimony" separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The veil symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin, a barrier that was later torn at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), signifying direct access to God through Jesus. The "Tent of Meeting" was the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites during their wilderness journey, emphasizing God's desire to dwell among His people.

Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD
Aaron, as the high priest, had the responsibility to maintain the lamps on the golden lampstand, or menorah, ensuring they burned continually. This symbolizes the perpetual presence and guidance of God among His people, as light often represents God's truth and revelation (Psalm 119:105). The menorah itself is a type of Christ, who declared Himself the "light of the world" (John 8:12), illuminating the path to God.

From evening until morning
The lamps were to be lit from evening until morning, signifying the need for God's presence and guidance during the darkest times. This practice highlights the importance of vigilance and readiness, themes echoed in the New Testament parables about being prepared for the Lord's return (Matthew 25:1-13). It also reflects the rhythm of daily life and worship, with the evening and morning sacrifices marking the beginning and end of the day.

This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come
The command for the lamps to be tended continually was not temporary but intended as a lasting ordinance for Israel. This underscores the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people and the perpetual need for His presence. The phrase "for the generations to come" indicates the timeless relevance of God's instructions, pointing to the eternal nature of His Word and promises. This continuity is fulfilled in Christ, who established a new and everlasting covenant through His sacrifice (Hebrews 9:15).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai. He is the one through whom God communicates His commandments to the people.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He and his descendants are responsible for maintaining the lampstand in the Tabernacle.

3. Tabernacle of the Testimony
The portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where the lampstand is to be kept burning continually.

4. Lampstand
A seven-branched candelabrum made of pure gold, which is to be kept burning continually as a symbol of God's eternal presence and guidance.

5. Sabbath
The day of rest on the seventh day of the week, which is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, and a time for worship and reflection.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Continual Worship
Just as the lampstand was to be kept burning continually, our worship and devotion to God should be constant and unwavering.

Symbol of God's Presence
The lampstand serves as a reminder of God's eternal presence with His people. We are called to be aware of His presence in our daily lives.

Role of the Priesthood
Aaron and his descendants were tasked with maintaining the lampstand, highlighting the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and nurture the faith of their communities.

Light as a Witness
The continual light of the lampstand symbolizes the witness of God's people to the world. We are called to let our light shine before others, reflecting God's love and truth.

Obedience to God's Commands
The detailed instructions for the lampstand remind us of the importance of obedience to God's commands in every aspect of our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the continual burning of the lampstand in the Tabernacle relate to our personal spiritual practices today?

2. In what ways can we, as believers, serve as a "light" in our communities, reflecting the presence of God?

3. What responsibilities do spiritual leaders have in maintaining the "light" within their congregations, and how can we support them?

4. How does the concept of God's eternal presence, as symbolized by the lampstand, provide comfort and guidance in our daily lives?

5. How can we ensure that our obedience to God's commands is as detailed and faithful as the instructions given for the lampstand in the Tabernacle?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 27:20-21
These verses provide the initial command for the Israelites to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand, emphasizing the importance of keeping the light burning continually before the Lord.

Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus speaks of His followers as the light of the world, drawing a parallel to the lampstand's role in the Tabernacle as a symbol of God's presence and guidance.

Revelation 1:12-13
The imagery of the lampstands is used to describe the churches, with Christ walking among them, signifying His presence and oversight.
Everlasting LightR.M. Edgar Leviticus 24:1-4
Ourselves as LightsW. Clarkson Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lighting of the SanctuaryJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lights in the SanctuaryR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:1-4
The CandlestickR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:2-4
Christ a Comforting PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence BreadF. H. WhiteLeviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the SanctuaryHenry, MatthewLeviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their MeaningJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and LifeA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its FurnitureJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of ChristJ. H. Holford, M. A.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His ChurchJohn Gill, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of FacesGeorge Junkin, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
People
Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Age-during, Ark, Arrange, Burning, Congregation, Continually, Curtain, Dress, Evening, Everlasting, Forever, Generations, Lamps, Lasting, Meeting, Morning, Order, Ordinance, Outside, Perpetual, Rule, Statute, Tabernacle, Tend, Tent, Testimony, Throughout, Till, Vail, Veil
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 24:3

     4933   evening
     7404   ordinances
     7474   Tent of Meeting

Leviticus 24:2-4

     5373   lamp and lampstand

Leviticus 24:3-4

     5445   potters and pottery

Library
The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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