February 1, 2017: SOAP #2617:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 30:7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.  8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so that incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.

Observation:   Yesterday we looked at the regular burnt offering that was made EVERY morning and EVERY evening in the tabernacle.  (Exodus 29:40-46) Today, in the next chapter we find two other daily requirements:  caring for the lamps and burning incense.

EVERY morning the lamps needed care.  The lamp needed to be refilled with oil.  The wicks needed trimming and adjustment.   EVERY evening they had to light the lamps.

Application:   I see the incense as a picture of my daily prayers.  I see the lamps as a picture of me.  I see the oil as a type of the Holy Spirit and the wick as a type of my flesh.  I need to be continually filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit.  And I need to keep the flesh (my attitude) properly adjusted.

When a wick is properly adjusted, the oil burns rather than the wick.  People say, “What a beautiful lamp!  Praise the Lord!”  When the wick is out of adjustment, it smokes and burns the wick.  People say, “Someone needs to trim and adjust that wick.”  People say, “That Christian needs an attitude adjustment!”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to be a lamp that brings you glory and joy.  May those around me see the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!