Leviticus 24 Commentary: The Lampstand, the Bread and the stoning of the blasphemer.
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We have three main items in this chapter: the lampstand, the bread and the stoning of the blasphemer.
We began this journey in Genesis with the LORD creating the earth in verses 1 and 2 of Genesis. It was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The very first item created was light, in these words: “let there be light”. Light was created long before the sun! In this chapter we read of the instruction to keep the golden lampstand alight continually with great interest.
In Exodus we learn of three components in the Holy place: the golden lampstand, the table for bread and another table for incense. In this chapter the LORD commands Moses to commission the lampstand and the Table for bread. The holy place is to be kept lit by the light from the lampstand. Aaron is personally charged with this task.
The Bread of the presence on the golden table is to be provided continually. The bread is most holy and must be consumed by priests. In the New Testament we are reminded of one who is both ‘light of this world’ and ‘bread of life’. The symbolism here is powerful. It was a nice revelation until I realized that the same scripture talks about me being the light (and salt) of this world. I should be ablaze continually. What an exam! I must confess I wasn’t very proud of my results.
The consequence for blasphemy is severe. The scripture takes time to relate to us the parentage of the blasphemer. Could it be that the scripture is making a case against intermarriage? It is possible that the blasphemer didn’t have the reverence for the LORD’S name that a normal Israelite man would have. He must have grown up believing in the Egyptian gods of his fathers.
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