Lamps to Burn Continually Leviticus 24

Leviticus 24:2 "Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually."

References: Exodus 27:20, Numbers 8:2-4

Outline:

v1 The oil for the lamps
v5 The shewbread
v10 Shelomith's son blasphemeth
v13 The law of blasphemy
v17 Of murder
v18 Of damage
v23 The blasphemer is stoned

The first part of the chapter tells of the command to keep the lamp in the tabernacle of the congregation burning all the time. Then it goes on to describe the twelve cakes that were to be made and placed in two rows of six upon the pure table v6.

This shewbread is mentioned throughout the Old Testament. Of particular interest was when David was so hungry that he ate the shewbread. I Samuel 21:4-6 tells the story. This was a time when King Saul became very angry at David and jealous of him and had ordered that David be killed. David was on the run and was hungry.

v6 "So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away."

I cannot help but remember when the disciples plucked corn on the sabbath and raised the anger of the Pharisees. Matthew 12 v2 "But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him (Jesus) Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But Jesus responded v3 "But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him,How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him but only for the priests? .... For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day."

I know the commandment has other meanings but it is amazing that food was provided for David, (who was in the bloodline of Christ after the flesh) even before he was born.

The rest of the chapter deals with a man who cursed God and was stoned. The Lord took the opportunity to speak of punishment for taking another man's life as well. And of one who kills a beast of another.

There is no difference in the judgment on a stranger or one born an Israelite.

v20 mentions the often quoted phrase 'eye for eye' .

note: shewbread and showbread are used interchangeable according to the language translated from.

Psalm 53: 1-3 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Everyone of them is gone back they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."