The altar’s fire never goes out because our devotion and sense of connection with God must continue uninterrupted.
In Leviticus 6:12 we read: “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it. It shall not go out, but the priest shall burn wood on it every morning; and he shall lay out the burnt offering on it, and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the peace offerings on it” (v.12). These instructions are part of the sacrificial system given by God to Moses for Israel, which took place around 1445-1405 BC after the Exodus from Egypt. The priests, descended from Aaron (Moses’ brother who lived in the 15th century BC), were responsible for ensuring the altar’s fire remained continuously lit. The Tabernacle, where this altar stood, was Israel’s portable place of worship in the wilderness. It was constructed within about a year after the Exodus and was placed at various sites during Israel’s wilderness journey.
By commanding that “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning … it shall not go out” (v.12), the LORD underscores the seriousness of sin and the constant need for atonement. Each morning, the priest was to “burn wood on it” (v.12), symbolizing the continuous nature of sacrificial life and complete devotion to the LORD. Maintaining daily sacrifices reminded the people of both their unending dependence on God and His ongoing willingness to forgive. When the text says the priest “shall lay out the burnt offering on it, and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the peace offerings on it” (v.12), it references two important types of sacrifices. The burnt offering was fully consumed, visually ascending to God in smoke. The peace offering, in contrast, involved both the altar and fellowship meals (Leviticus 7:11-18). The mention of “fat portions” is frequently indicative of presenting one’s very best to God for thanksgiving or fellowship (Leviticus 1; 3). This brings to mind how Jesus fulfills the picture of sin and peace offerings (Hebrews 10:12), being our once-for-all sacrifice that eliminates the need for continual sacrificial bloodshed.
Keeping the fire lit also foreshadows the continual presence of God among His people and the ceaseless nature of true worship. Just as the priest kept fueling the fire, believers are called to continually nurture their spiritual lives through prayer, praise, and obedience (Romans 12:1). This verse demonstrates that worship in ancient Israel was daily, intentional, and communal, pointing forward to the future perfect sacrifice of Christ.
All of life requires a constant offering and attentive devotion to what pleases God.
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Leviticus 6:12 meaning
In Leviticus 6:12 we read: “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it. It shall not go out, but the priest shall burn wood on it every morning; and he shall lay out the burnt offering on it, and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the peace offerings on it” (v.12). These instructions are part of the sacrificial system given by God to Moses for Israel, which took place around 1445-1405 BC after the Exodus from Egypt. The priests, descended from Aaron (Moses’ brother who lived in the 15th century BC), were responsible for ensuring the altar’s fire remained continuously lit. The Tabernacle, where this altar stood, was Israel’s portable place of worship in the wilderness. It was constructed within about a year after the Exodus and was placed at various sites during Israel’s wilderness journey.
By commanding that “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning … it shall not go out” (v.12), the LORD underscores the seriousness of sin and the constant need for atonement. Each morning, the priest was to “burn wood on it” (v.12), symbolizing the continuous nature of sacrificial life and complete devotion to the LORD. Maintaining daily sacrifices reminded the people of both their unending dependence on God and His ongoing willingness to forgive. When the text says the priest “shall lay out the burnt offering on it, and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the peace offerings on it” (v.12), it references two important types of sacrifices. The burnt offering was fully consumed, visually ascending to God in smoke. The peace offering, in contrast, involved both the altar and fellowship meals (Leviticus 7:11-18). The mention of “fat portions” is frequently indicative of presenting one’s very best to God for thanksgiving or fellowship (Leviticus 1; 3). This brings to mind how Jesus fulfills the picture of sin and peace offerings (Hebrews 10:12), being our once-for-all sacrifice that eliminates the need for continual sacrificial bloodshed.
Keeping the fire lit also foreshadows the continual presence of God among His people and the ceaseless nature of true worship. Just as the priest kept fueling the fire, believers are called to continually nurture their spiritual lives through prayer, praise, and obedience (Romans 12:1). This verse demonstrates that worship in ancient Israel was daily, intentional, and communal, pointing forward to the future perfect sacrifice of Christ.
All of life requires a constant offering and attentive devotion to what pleases God.