Leviticus 6:12
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning;
The perpetual fire on the altar symbolizes God's continuous presence and the ongoing need for atonement. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fire often represented divine presence and purification. This command underscores the importance of maintaining a constant state of readiness and devotion to God. The fire's perpetual nature can be seen as a type of the Holy Spirit, who continually works within believers.

it must not be extinguished.
The unceasing nature of the altar fire signifies the eternal covenant between God and Israel. It reflects the necessity of constant vigilance in spiritual matters, emphasizing that worship and devotion to God are not to be intermittent. This can be connected to the New Testament call for believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), highlighting a life of continual worship and dedication.

Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire,
The daily addition of wood by the priest signifies the regular and disciplined approach required in maintaining one's relationship with God. This act of adding wood can be seen as a metaphor for daily spiritual practices such as prayer, reading Scripture, and worship. The priest's role here prefigures Christ as our High Priest, who continually intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).

arrange the burnt offering on it,
The burnt offering, or "olah," was a sacrifice of complete consecration to God, symbolizing total surrender and devotion. The arrangement of the offering indicates order and intentionality in worship. This offering points to Jesus Christ, who offered Himself completely to God on our behalf (Ephesians 5:2).

and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.
The fat portions, considered the best part of the animal, were given to God as a sign of honor and reverence. The peace offering, or "shelamim," symbolized fellowship and reconciliation with God. This act foreshadows the peace and reconciliation brought through Christ's sacrifice (Colossians 1:20). The burning of the fat portions signifies giving God the best of what we have, reflecting the call to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priests
The priests were responsible for maintaining the fire on the altar, symbolizing their role as mediators between God and the people.

2. Altar
The altar was a central place of worship in the Tabernacle, where sacrifices were made to God.

3. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice that was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.

4. Peace Offerings
These offerings were made to express gratitude and fellowship with God.

5. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Consistency in Worship
Just as the fire on the altar was to be kept burning continually, our worship and devotion to God should be consistent and unwavering.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
The priests' responsibility to maintain the altar fire underscores the importance of spiritual leaders in guiding and sustaining the faith of the community.

Symbolism of Fire
Fire represents God's presence, purity, and judgment. Keeping the fire burning symbolizes the need for God's continual presence in our lives.

Total Dedication to God
The burnt offering, being wholly consumed, teaches us about the need for total dedication and surrender to God in our lives.

Daily Spiritual Maintenance
Just as the priests added wood every morning, we must daily nurture our spiritual lives through prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the continual burning of the altar fire in Leviticus 6:12 relate to our daily spiritual practices?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our "spiritual fire" does not go out in the busyness of life?

3. How can the role of the priests in maintaining the altar fire inform the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today?

4. What are some practical ways we can offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" in our daily lives, as described in Romans 12:1?

5. How does the concept of continual sacrifice in the Old Testament connect to the New Testament call to pray without ceasing and offer praise continually?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29:38-42
This passage describes the daily offerings, emphasizing the continual nature of worship and sacrifice.

Hebrews 13:15
This verse speaks of offering a continual sacrifice of praise, connecting the Old Testament sacrifices to New Testament worship.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the burnt offerings in Leviticus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
The call to pray without ceasing reflects the continual nature of the altar fire.

Psalm 51:17
Highlights the importance of a contrite heart, which God values over ritual sacrifices.
The Law of the Burnt OfferingJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 6:8-13
Three Principles of PietyW. Clarkson Leviticus 6:8-13
Instructions on the Offerings for the PriestsR.A. Redford Leviticus 6:8-30
Quench not the SpiritR.M. Edgar Leviticus 6:8-30
He Shall Take Up the Ashes Which the Fire has ConsumedA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 6:10-12
Sacred AttireW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 6:10-12
The Daily SacrificeJames Fleming, D. D.Leviticus 6:10-12
The Priest's GarmentsA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 6:10-12
People
Aaron, Ephah, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Add, Altar, Arrange, Arranged, Burn, Burned, Burning, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Extinguished, Fat, Fellowship, Fire, Firewood, Kept, Kindle, Lay, Morning, Offer, Offering, Offerings, Order, Peace, Peace-offering, Peace-offerings, Perfume, Placing, Portions, Priest, Quenched, Smoke, Thereby, Thereon, Wood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 6:12

     4954   morning

Leviticus 6:8-13

     7322   burnt offering

Library
Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
It has been said that Mary understood, and yet did not understand Jesus. And of this there seems fresh evidence in the circumstance that, immediately after the marriage of Cana, she and the brethren of Jesus' went with Him, or followed Him, to Capernaum, which henceforth became His own city,' [1774] during His stay by the Lake of Galilee. The question, whether He had first returned to Nazareth, seems almost trifling. It may have been so, and it may be that His brothers had joined Him there, while
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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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