Exodus 27:20,21

Pure oil olive beaten for the light.

Symbolic references

I. The purity of the light (Psalms 26:9).

II. The perfection of the light.

III. The perpetuity of the light. Christ can never be superseded. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Oil for the light

1. The source whence the oil was obtained--the “olive.” Thus is grace, free and full, obtained from Christ, the “Plant of renown.”

2. The qualification it was to possess--it was to be “pure.” All the grace which comes from Christ is pure and unalloyed.

3. The instruments of its dispensation--“the children of Israel.” The children of God are now the recipients and dispensers of Christ’s grace.

4. The uses to which it was put--it caused “the lamp to burn always.” Grace causes the life of each Christian to shine with a brighter glow. (S. Thomas.)

Lamps burning always

It is difficult to understand from the various passages bearing on the subject, whether the lamps burned both day and night, or only during the night--some passages apparently favouring the one view, and some the other; thus, “To cause the lamp to burn always” (Exodus 27:20); and, “Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually” (Leviticus 24:2). These passages seem to teach that the lamps burned both day and night. If they do not teach that, the meaning must be that “continual” and “always “ signify at regular intervals, as in the case of some ordinances and offerings which are called perpetual, though occurring only at intervals. The other view, that they burned only during the night, seems to be supported by, “Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning” (Exodus 27:21); “And Aaron shall burn thereon (the golden altar) sweet incense every morning, when he dresseth the lamps” (Exodus 30:7). From these texts it would appear that the lamps burned only during the night. If they were not intended to teach that, the meaning must be that the lamps were dressed in the morning, probably one after another, not necessitating more than one being extinguished at a time, and after being dressed and lighted, burned during the day, the lamps receiving such further attention in the evening as admitted of their burning till the morning. As there were no windows in the Tabernacle, and the priests had duties to perform during the day in the holy place, it is almost certain that the lamps burned always. (W. Brown.)

Light symbolism

As the first apartment in the Tabernacle was illuminated by the sevenfold light of the candlestick, and as the Church, composed of all genuine believers on earth in every age, is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, so will the Church triumphant in heaven, that great temple not made with hands, be a place of glorious light; and the light shall never go out, it will burn always; so that there shall be no night there, nor sun, nor moon, nor stars shall shine in that happy place, for the glory of God and the Lamb is the light thereof. (W. Brown.)

Burning with pure oil

It is related in the biography of one who lived to become a devoted Christian man, that while he was yet a little boy, the passage read from the Bible in the family on a certain occasion was Exodus 27:20, describing the oil used in the vessels of the Tabernacle. The meaning and application of the verse was explained by other passages from the New Testament. This boy was then but five years old, and it was not supposed that he could understand or feel the slightest interest in a subject considered far beyond his age. The older children left the room after family worship, but the little boy was detained, as usual, to be taught some simple verses of the Bible by his mother, and to pray with her. He kneeled down at length to pray, and in the midst of his prayer he paused, and exclaimed, earnestly, “O my God, make me to burn this day with pure oil!” The morning lesson had not been lost upon him; he had understood its import. “Most evidently,” says his biographer, “was this prayer heard and answered throughout the day of his life.” How appropriate is this petition for the morning offering of every Christian, “Make me to burn this day with pure oil”! If He who hath all hearts in His keeping vouchsafe a gracious answer to that prayer, the example of the disciple must be one that will glorify the name of Jesus. Such a man will walk with God. No unhallowed fires will be lighted in his bosom. Neither revenge nor hate can burn there. The peace and joy of the believer will fill his soul..