RPG Adults
LAMPSTAND TO BURN CONTINUALLY!
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
Leviticus 24
Matthew 5:14-16
“He shall order the lamps
upon the pure candlestick
before the LORD continually.”
LAMPSTAND TO BURN CONTINUALLY!
The spiritual significance of keeping the Lampstand burning continually is quite obvious. It reminded the people of God that when darkness fell, the light of God’s people had to continue to shine. The lampstand would be snuffed out when the sun rose in the morning. Night was the time for evil people to do their evil deeds. Thieves entered homes at night to steal. Sinful behaviours abounded mostly at night. Either they needed to hide their shame in the cover of darkness so that friends and family members could not see them in their sinful behaviours; or they knew that what they were doing was criminal and did not wish to be caught. Darkness has often been used in the Bible to represent sinful behaviour and spiritual darkness. “Do not walk in darkness” has been the Bible’s refrain constantly. Here are two examples. Romans 13:12: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” 1 Corinthians 4:5: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
As children of the Light of Christ, we need to be reminded that we are most tempted and at our weakest at night, when we think that no one is watching. The sense of aloneness often gives rise to temptations, harbouring the sinful thought that if I sin, no one will know and I do not stumble anyone at all. In times like these, we need to remember that the light of Christ in us needs to shine the most! We need to go on our knees and pray for strength to overcome sin and to remain in holiness. The people of Israel, especially the priesthood, needed to be reminded of this truth. When night fell all over Israel, as the lampstand was lit inside the Holy Place and behind the veil in the Most Holy Place, the reverential significance of the nightly event would hit home in the heart of every priest. Holiness before the LORD had to be during both day and night. It was first before the omniscient LORD, then before the people of Israel. In this way, they would be holy night and day.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 24:2
PRAYER: May I be holy, and be the light for Christ.