It was one of God’s many instructions to Israel, but this admonition concerns the Jews’ WORSHIP of the Lord.
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Leviticus 6:13, the huge altar made of brass being the focus here. Where the animals (or parts thereof) were burned unto the Lord.
Never let the fire go out!
That alone shows that sin is a constant, even in the lives of the Israelites! (Even in our lives as Christians, too!) That specific altar is where atonement was made, the blood was shed.
The altar must always be ready!
But my emphasis this morning is not on the altar, or the sacrifice … but the FIRE itself.
Fire represents many things in the Bible … fervency and purity and diligence … being three of them.
Flaming embers, fire … is not a LUKEWARM issue! Neither is it COLD! It is CONSUMING and BLISTERING and even COMFORTING (on cold days) at times!
Now with those thoughts about this necessary, ever-present FIRE on the altar … I now add 2 Timothy 1:6 to our discussion. Paul asks Timothy to be diligent in this sense: “That thou STIR UP the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
“Stir up” some things in your life, Timothy!
Oh, that verb “stir up” is thrilling … a blend of “ana” and “zoe” and “pur” in Greek.
Literally, “KEEP ALIVE THE FIRE” that’s “in” you!
“Zoe” means life, keep the fires burning, alive!
“Pur” is the noun for “fire” itself.
And “ana” is a little preposition meaning (at times) “among” or “in!”
Put it all together … Timothy, the “fire” kindled down in your heart when you were fully dedicated to Jesus, when you were perhaps the closest to Him you’ve ever been … do not let that fire go out!
Keep that flame alive!
Our King James men, scholarly translators … as we must do to any fire … STIP UP those coals, keep the flames vibrant, hot!
How so, to us Gentiles now?
Do not allow the fires of loving the Bible grow low!
Do not allow the fire (warm and satisfying) of the Holy Spirit ever be quenched in your life! (“Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Do not allow the fire of your prayer life to grow cold.
The list goes on and on, of course … the Holy Spirit, however, is the Best Counsellor … concerning what most needs stirring in your heart, in your existence as a Believer in Jesus!
Anybody growing “lukewarm” today?
Then revive (what a good word, Revival) those flickering flames!
Peter even wrote that some day (when God judges the earth) … “The elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:10, which fierce condition must somehow involve fire!
That’s the word I want, “fervent!”
Paul encourages us to be “fervent in spirit.” Romans 12:11, where “fervent” actually means “hot, boiling.” Love that has been around the fire, apparently!
Even keep you heart/soul/spirit alive … with those embers of fiery devotion!
Back to where we started … “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Wow!
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