Lev 24:1-9 | KingComments | STEP | Leviticus 23 has shown the great prophetic line in God’s history of salvation. The first four feasts have found their application in the church. The application of the three feasts of the seventh month to Israel is yet to come. Leviticus 24 makes clear how the prophetic state of Israel is. The first section ( ) shows the service of the high priest in the sanctuary, which he performs at night. The second section ( ) shows why Israel is set aside. To this end, an event serves as an illustration. This event is the second to occur in Leviticus, after the death of Aaron’s sons in Leviticus 10 ( ). This event must also serve to demonstrate an important principle. are an almost verbatim repetition of what we read in Exodus 27 ( ). In Numbers we see that Aaron carries out the command ( ). The oil used must be brought by the Israelites. The people are involved in maintaining the light in the sanctuary. In this way God determines that the whole people ensure that there is light in the sanctuary. It is their responsibility to live in accordance with that light. The following event ( ) shows that they have failed.

‏ Leviticus 24:1-9

Introduction

Leviticus 23 has shown the great prophetic line in God’s history of salvation. The first four feasts have found their application in the church. The application of the three feasts of the seventh month to Israel is yet to come. Leviticus 24 makes clear how the prophetic state of Israel is. The first section (Lev 24:1-9) shows the service of the high priest in the sanctuary, which he performs at night. The second section (Lev 24:10-23) shows why Israel is set aside. To this end, an event serves as an illustration. This event is the second to occur in Leviticus, after the death of Aaron’s sons in Leviticus 10 (Lev 10:1-2). This event must also serve to demonstrate an important principle.

Oil for the Light

Lev 24:2-4 are an almost verbatim repetition of what we read in Exodus 27 (Exo 27:20-21). In Numbers we see that Aaron carries out the command (Num 8:3). The oil used must be brought by the Israelites. The people are involved in maintaining the light in the sanctuary. In this way God determines that the whole people ensure that there is light in the sanctuary. It is their responsibility to live in accordance with that light. The following event (Lev 24:10-23) shows that they have failed.

The Light Must Burn Continually

The high priest must ensure that the light from the lampstand continually burns at night. To do this, he must supply the candlestick with oil. Prophetically, this indicates that the people, even though they may seem lost and find themselves in spiritual darkness, are separate from God, yet through the high priesthood of the Lord Jesus continue to exist in heaven as a memorial before the face of God.

The light shines in the sanctuary. The world does not see it. It highlights the heavenly things by which we can already see what our heavenly blessings are (Jn 16:13). We also may spread that light. We do this by talking about these things with other believers. The light of the lampstand falls in the first place on the lampstand itself, that is, the Lord Jesus will be the subject of the conversation.

The lamps must be kept burning at night, when the people are enveloped in darkness. The people sleep, but will be brought back to life by the blowing of the trumpet (Lev 23:24). Until then, the High Priest ensures that the light in the sanctuary continues to shine.

The service of the people before God takes place periodically, at prescribed times. The service of the Lord Jesus as the High Priest to the people is not periodically, but continually and uninterrupted. It is also an encouragement to us that the Lord always thinks of us, even if we do not always think of Him.

The Bread of the Presence

There is also care for the bread of the Presence on the table. What is said here about the bread of the Presence is an addition to what we read about them in Exodus 25 (Exo 25:23-30).

The twelve loaves of the bread of the Presence represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The pure incense on it indicates that from the people, as God sees them according to His counsel, a pleasant fragrance of the pure frankincense rises in His sanctuary. The frankincense speaks of the Lord Jesus, because in themselves the people have nothing that is pleasing to God.

In the sanctuary we see how God’s plans continue to shine brightly, even if the people are unfaithful. In the light of the lampstand God constantly sees the bread of the Presence: picture of the people, carried by the table, picture of the Lord Jesus. It always says: “before the LORD” (Lev 24:3 ; 4 ; 6 ; 8).

The loaves of the bread of the Presence are made of fine flour. This is also used to make the grain offering (Lev 2:1). It is the fruit of the earth and speaks of the Lord Jesus as the perfect Man on earth. He is also the life of the believers and therefore the twelve loaves of the bread of the Presence speak of the people of God.

The priests make themselves one with the people by eating this bread. Those who are used to being in God’s presence feed themselves with the thought that God loves His people despite their failures. They will share in God’s love for His people and that will inspire them to serve that people, despite their unfaithfulness.