Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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because it now began to be put in execution, when other things were settled.
1 The people were to provide oil (Le 24:2), and this, as every thing else that was to be used in God's service, must be of the best, pure olive-oil, beaten, probably it was double-strained. This was to cause the lamps to burn; all our English copies read it lamps, but in the original it is singular in Le 24:2--to cause the lamp to burn; but plural in Le 24:4--he shall order the lamps. The seven lamps made all one lamp, in allusion to which the blessed Spirit of grace is represented by seven lamps of fire before the throne (Re 4:5), for there are diversities of gifts, but one Spirit, 1Co 12:4. Ministers are as burning and shining lights in Christ's church, but it is the duty of people to provide comfortably for them, as Israel for the lamps. Scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry.
2 The priests were to tend the lamps; they must snuff them, clean the candlestick, and supply them with oil, morning and evening, Le 24:3,4. Thus it is the work of the ministers of the gospel to hold forth that word of life, not to set up new lights, but, by expounding and preaching the word, to make the light of it more clear and extensive. This was the ordinary way of keeping the lamps burning; but, when the church was poor and in distress, we find its lamps fed constantly with oil from the good olives immediately, without the ministry of priest or people (Zec 4:2,3); for, though God has tied us to means, he has not tied himself to them, but will take effectual care that his lamp never go out in the world for want of oil.
4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the
Lord continually.