Exodus 30:7 Aaron shall burn sweet and fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims and tends the lamps.
The priestly duties included burning sweet fragrance to the Lord, trimming the wicks and tending the lamps. The people had to bring clear oil of pressed olives and the priests were to keep the lamp in the Holy Place burning continually. Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come (Exodus 27:21). At dusk before darkness settles the lamp was lit and it burned through the night so the Holy place was bright throughout the night.
We are the Royal Priesthood of the Lord who must keep the lamp of God’s love burning in the dark world. To keep the lamp burning continually, the wick must be trimmed, tidied and cleaned before lighting the lamp. This is the symbol of self-examination to get rid of dead deeds and foul or fruitless thoughts in order to burn bright for Jesus. An untrimmed wick will burn large flames and use excess oil. The light will be out of proportion if the wick is not trimmed. Symbolically, an untrimmed lifestyle will be exhausting and will eventually burn us out. Further as the lamp needs fresh oil every day we need fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit every day. Our anointing will run low and eventually snuff out the light. Fresh anointing everyday will make us like the wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
Tasks of the Priests:
1. Refuel: Be refueled with fresh anointing every day to burn bright in the world. The Holy Spirit is not a dove or a wind but the 3rd person of the Godhead who fills us with power and resilience.
2. Radiate: Trimmed wicks and fresh oil will burn bright. So will be the lives that are refreshed and refueled by the Holy Spirit.
3. Reignite: As the priest lit the lampstand before dusk, we must reignite the flame and fire of holiness in us to become bright lights in the dark world.
We are like the lampstand and must shine bright in the secular dark world.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, trim futile thoughts, bitterness, envy and anger and help me to shine for you. Amen.
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