Keep The Fire Alive

Leviticus 6:8–9 (ESV) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.... 
Leviticus 6:13 (ESV) Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

The fire on the burnt offering was to never go out. That is a lot of responsibility for the priests. I have a stove in my house that requires constant attention in winter. Yet even on my best days, it eventually goes out. God mentions several times that this fire was to never die. What does this point to in our relationship with Christ?

First, we must remember that it was the priests responsibility to keep the fire going. This was not the job of an average Israelite. God says, "Command Aaron and his sons!" However, as we will observe in Israel, eventually the priests would fail in this responsibility. Perhaps that is the reason for the stipulation. So that God's people would look for a priest that would fulfill his priestly duties for the people.

Second, we must look at fire throughout the Pentateuch. It first appears at the Covenant agreement God makes with Abraham in Genesis 15. He passes through the pieces of animals alone while Abraham falls into a deep sleep. The meaning being that God alone would keep the term of the covenant with Abraham. Eventually, everyone fails, but the flaming torch and the hot oven pass through the covenantal ceremony completely. 

Third, we must remember that at the end of Exodus, this fire was lit by God: Exodus 40:38 (ESV) For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Fire from God, sustained by a priest and representative of God Himself all point to the reality we come to have in Christ. He is the one who ignites our hearts toward God. He is the one who covenants to keep for Himself a people set apart from the world to be the light of the world. He is the true High Priest who does not let the fire die in those He came to save. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (ESV) Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Those the Lord saves are saved by Him and for Him. They will not be lost and they shall not fade. Yes, we have responsibility to stay lit by the Word, His presence and the company of others in the body of Christ. But ultimately, we know and rely on the power of the Lord Jesus to preserve for Himself a people called out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Jesus is the one who sent the Tongues of fire upon His Church in Acts 2, 4, 8, 10, and 19. The flame of God's light has NOT YET been extinguished. Even as recently in this past Century, those filled with the fire of God in the Holy Spirit are carrying the church forward in what has become the greatest missionary century in Christian history. 

Praise Jesus, our Great High Priest who never lights a fire He will not keep lit!

Jude 24–25 (ESV) Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.