Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)?

The remainder of this division of the book (Lev. 6:8-7) stands somewhat by itself, forming a kind of supplement to the first part under the general title of "The law of the offering," where certain details are presented referring more particularly to the disposition of those parts of the offering which had not been specified before. In general the priest's portion is what is emphasized. The perpetuity of the burnt offering (Lev. 6:8-13), referred to in its continual burning, reminds us of the eternal efficacy of the work of Christ. Whenever an Israelite turned his eyes toward the altar during the whole year, he could see the glow of fire which reminded him that the sacrifice was ever before God. So is our Lord's sacrifice — of eternal value. There is never a time when the holiness of God ceases to be satisfied by that which Christ has offered.

Turning now to the law of the burnt-offering, we learn, first, why this sacrifice is so termed; next, how the Lord provided for the keeping the fire ever alight upon the altar; and then what was the first duty of the priest at the altar on the recurrence of morning light.

It was called the burnt-offering, because of its burning all night upon the altar. By day and by night the burnt-sacrifice was being consumed, but by day other sacrifices were burnt upon it. By night, with its accompanying meat-offering (Num. 28:5), it was the only sacrifice upon the brazen altar. Thus God provided to have the self-surrender of the Lord Jesus to do His will in death ever before Him. By day and by night the burnt-sacrifice spoke of that. The first sacrifice of the day typified that self-surrender, the last offering in the day kept up the remembrance of it. How precious to God was that act of the Lord this law intimates, and the New Testament plainly teaches, for the Lord Himself has spoken of it as the ground on which the Father's love flows out to Him in a special way (John 10:17). Surely, as that solitary column of smoke ascended heavenward night after night, little as those keeping the charge of the whole congregation might have understood about it, there was a voice in it for God, to whom it went up, speaking to Him, in the midst of midnight darkness and silence, of that act of His Son, by which He would be for ever glorified. A secret it was, then known in any measure of fulness only to God, and a token of that death for which He thus made provision to have ever in remembrance before Him, and which He will not allow any intelligent creature to forget in eternity. All night to the morning it was burning, whilst the world was asleep; what a thought this gives us of the preciousness of Christ's death in God's eyes. A secret but little known save to Him for fifteen centuries which elapsed between the Exodus and the Crucifixion, it still remains such, as far as the world at large is concerned. His people, however, are now permitted to share it with Him, whilst the darkness of night still hangs over this earth, and the world continues unconcerned, and really unconscious of the excellency of the Person who hung on that cross (1 Cor. 2:8).

In chapter 6:9, the point is (and a very important one it is) that the fire was to be burning always. As in Isaiah 6 all was from the brazen altar. There is no real prayer or praise, or anything of the kind, save in connection with the sacrifice of Christ; so in Revelation 8. He takes the fire from the brazen altar in verse 5. The altar in verse 3 seems to me to be the altar of incense. Take it as a rule: no fire is used save off the brazen altar.

Continuous burning gives no cessation of the judgment by God according to a holy nature. It is burning all night, and, in a certain sense, for Israel, who are kept by Christ now, kept through His sacrifice which is perpetual in value.

In contrast to the sin offering which was to be offered once a year, except for specific occasions of sin, the burnt offering was to be continual. There was an evening and morning sacrifice, and the fire on the altar was never to be put out. The significance of this is plain. There is never a time when God does not receive honour from the value of the sacrifice of Christ. For we have seen that the burnt offering all ascended to God in fire, so that it speaks of that aspect of the sacrifice of Christ that is all for the glory of God.

In contrast to the sin offering which was to be offered once a year, except for specific occasions of sin, the burnt offering was to be continual. There was an evening and morning sacrifice, and the fire on the altar was never to be put out. The significance of this is plain. There is never a time when God does not receive honor from the value of the sacrifice of Christ. For we have seen that the burnt offering all ascended to God in fire, so that it speaks of that aspect of the sacrifice of Christ that is all for the glory of God.

The burnt-offering comes first, then, in order; and it is to be always upon the altar, an abiding testimony to Israel's acceptance with God. Typically even, this was only imperfectly attained in their case by lengthening out the morning and evening sacrifice, so as to merge them, as it were, in one. For us it is simple that the one offering abides before God continually, and we abide in the value of it, without possibility of change.

As the burnt offering speaks of the death of Christ accomplishing the will of God for the pleasure of God, we have in the continual burnt offering Christ presented “before the Lord” continually, day and night, the fire was never to go out (Lev.6:13). There was always before the face of God the death of the Lord Jesus Christ in complete, perfect obedience to His will bringing a sweet savour to Him. It was on this basis, and this basis alone, that God could meet Moses and the children of Israel at the place where the offering was continually burning.

Leviticus 6 gives the law of the burnt offering. "It is the burnt offering because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it . . . . it shall not be put out." This refers to the morning and evening lambs; they formed a perpetual burnt offering. Ex. 29:38-41. It is to be remarked that it was "all night unto the morning" (although it was perpetual), doubtless to point out that Christ is for Israel ever a sweet savour to God, even during the present period of Israel's darkness and forgetfulness. Aaron had to put on his linen garments to remove the ashes from the altar to 'the place of ashes' beside the altar: he then changed his dress and carried the ashes outside the camp. The ashes were the proof that the sacrifice had been completely accepted (Ps. 20:3, margin. In 'the morning' Israel will know that their acceptance and blessing is through the work of their Messiah on the cross. The daily sacrifice was offered by the priest as acting for the whole nation, and presented typically the ground of its blessings and privileges. Hence faith made much of it. Ezra 3:3; Dan. 8:11, 13, 26; Dan. 9:27.

As before, the burnt-offering stands first. Here it is an interesting fact to learn that the fire burning on the altar was never to go out. Nothing can be more express than this repeated injunction. All night it must burn, and never go out. It is night as regards the world — not for those that are children of the day — in a certain moral sense at any rate. But the fire never goes out, and when God wakes up His people and the nations, how precious to find that the offering has been once offered by reason of which those who submit to His righteousness will be acceptable to God! All was burnt to God, nothing eaten by man.

The Law of Burnt Offering--It was the duty of the priest to keep the burnt offering upon the altar and the fire of the altar had to be kept burning in it. It is especially stated that the burnt offering shall be upon the hearth upon the altar all night unto the morning. This continual burnt offering with the fire, which never went out, is the type of Christ, who continually offers Himself to God and in whom all believers have the assurance of their full acceptance. It was different with the sin offering; there could not be a continuous sin offering, for Christ giving Himself as an expiatory sacrifice cannot be a continuous act. But it is different with the burnt offering. While on earth He ever presented Himself before God and the fire of His devotion never went out. And thus He continues in the heavenly sanctuary, appearing in the presence of God for us. This never ceases. It is morning by morning, evening by evening. And how blessed that the night is mentioned! The night is the present age; and it will be followed by the morning, when the day dawns. What comfort is here provided for us! While we are down here in the wilderness, tested, tried, failing and stumbling our perfect burnt offering is ever present with God and the sweet savour arises from it. By it we are kept, though we are a sinning people. It has also a blessed meaning for Israel . This is Israel 's night. By the burnt offering sacrifice even Israel is kept during the dark night of their unbelief for the blessing which shall surely come in the morning, when He is revealed again. Then they will behold Him as their burnt offering, whom they had despised and rejected during the night of wandering and tribulation; then they will confess their sin and acknowledge He was bruised on account of their iniquities.

But while this is the blessed meaning of the burnt offering for the believer and for repenting and believing Israel , for the unbeliever there is another fire which will never go out. And we must see the practical application as well. This blessed continual burnt offering must lead His believing people to give themselves continually and manifest their devotion in practical holiness. "God delights to have us remind Him (though He can never forget it) of the work of His dear Son, and that we have here our occupation and live in the fragrance of His acceptance. This is really the foundation of all practical holiness, as it is of rest and satisfaction to the soul. Christ is our righteousness before God; we are accepted in the Beloved; in Christ we are as Christ, even in this world. Here the perpetual sunshine settles down on us; it is the true Beulah land for the saint, where the birds sing ever and the heart goes forth in perpetual melody" (Numerical Bible). Our answer to the continuous burnt offering in our behalf must be a life of devotion to God. Space forbids to follow the equally precious application of the other priestly actions.