Exodus 27:20-21 – The everlasting light

God had instructed how the Tabernacle would be made. This tent would stand within a fenced area of 10,500 square feet. He also had specifically given instruction on how the fencing and the curtain of the entrance to this whole area should be made. On entering the fenced area would be the Brazen Altar for sacrifice. It was here that the animal for the sacrifice to God would be burned. At the inner area of this fenced area would be the Tabernacle or the Tent of the meeting of 1,000 square feet, comprising of two compartments - the Holy Place and the Holy of holies. Separating these two compartments was a uniquely embroidered curtain. God had already specified that the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat should be placed in the Holy of holies. And immediately outside the curtain on the side of the Holy place was the Altar of Incense. God also instructed that two other pieces of furniture, namely the Table of Shewbread and the golden Lampstand, be made and placed in the Holy place. 

The Tabernacle was the place where the spiritual transaction would be carried out. It was where thanksgivings would be offered and atonement of sin be made. The Holy of holies was where God’s presence would be. Priests with holy calling would also be appointed to carry out spiritual duties on behalf of the people. But only the high priest could enter into the Holy of holies, the dwelling of God. Other priests appointed could only enter the Holy Place to carry out their duties. The people were not allowed into the Holy Place, let alone the Holy of holies. The offering to be made to God was made on their behalf by the priests.  

Up till this point in Exodus, we are not told much about the specific duties of the priests. God only gave instruction on how the Tabernacle and its furnishings, the Brazen Altar, the outer courtyard and its fencing, and the curtain at the entrance, should be made. But from the Brazen Altar at the courtyard and the way the Tabernacle would be furnished, we can roughly surmise what the priests’ duties would be. They would be tasked to offer sacrifices at the Brazen Altar. They would be making the holy bread for the Table of Shewbread, and put them on this table. Their sacred duties would include taking care of the sacred utensils, sprinkling sacrificial blood, and minding the fire on the altar. They were also tasked to take down, carry, and set up the tabernacle whenever God and his people were on the move.

Here in Exodus 27:20-21, God gave instruction that the golden lampstand in the Holy Place should be kept burning. The people were commanded to bring clear oil of pressed olives to keep the light on the lampstand burning all the time. Aaron and his sons had been entrusted the duty of keeping the lampstand burning all the time. This suggests that one of them would be assigned the duty in the Holy place to tend to the light to ensure that it was perpetually burning all the time. This implies that they have to go on rotational duty as a lasting ordinance unto the Lord.

Remember how the lampstand was made. It had seven branches much like a tree. It was made to provide light within the Tabernacle. But more importantly, it was a symbol of the tree of life. It tells us that our God is the giver of light and life. Notice the light was to be kept burning all the time. It was signifying the eternal presence of God. In the presence of God, there is perpetual light and life. We who have tasted of the light and life from this tree must keep the light burning for an everlasting witness. We must keep the light of the Lord burning. It is our sacred duty!