Exodus 27 starts out much like the last few chapters....More directions on how to build the Temple. And I'll be honest a part of me is like let's move on already, this doesn't apply to me...but it does. Just like yesterday the details matter and dropped in the middle of the chapter a verse stuck out to me.
Exodus 27:20 NLT [20] “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
Now if you're not careful you'll miss it but there are 2 main things in that verse.
*Pure oil of Pressed olives
*Keep the lamps burning continually
We could easily skim by this along with all the other instructions and measurements, and don't get me wrong God had a reason for all of it, but this scripture is what really applys to us Now. It doesn't just say bring oil and keep the lamps burning. It specifically says Pure oil of Pressed olives. Its specific about the type of oil... Why....Well Im glad you asked, I went down a rabbit trail this morning on what it means..I got lost in the oil 😀.
Did you know there are different kinds of olive oil? Depending on the olive and the process different levels are produced. I didn't realize there are actually different kinds of olive oil. And the best, most pure oil is also the hardest to get. It only comes from the first press. No heat, no crushing it over and over, just pressure. The very first squeeze produces the cleanest, clearest oil. No sediment. No smoke. And that oil was set apart for sacred use for the lamp in God's presence.
The later pressings were still useful. They used that oil for cooking, for soap, for everyday things. But God said that oil is not for Me. Only the first press.
First press oil isn't the easy oil. It's not the leftover oil. It's not the oil you give after you've already spent everything else. It's the oil that costs something. The oil that comes from pressure. Which means the light in the Tabernacle was literally fueled by something that had been through something. Now apply that to your life...and the oil you produce that keeps your light burning for Jesus.
God often gets our second press oil doesn't he. He gets what's left, after work, after stress, after I’ve tried to fix everything myself. Not my first thoughts, not my clearest faith just whatever's still in me at the end of the day.
But God didn't ask for leftovers. He asked for pure pressed oil.
And then there's the second part of that verse, Keep the lamps burning continually. Not occasionally, Not when you feel spiritual. Not just on good days. Continually.....
And you can't keep that kind of light burning with mixed oil. Pure oil burns clean and steady. Mixed oil burns dirty and unstable. That kind of oil smokes. It flickers. It makes a mess.( There’s a whole message on Mixed oil, I will work on that)
But first press oil burns clean. And the only way you get first press oil is through pressure.
🌟 Seasons you didn't choose.
🌟 Waiting you didn't want.
🌟 Disappointment you didn't plan.
🌟 Stretching that hurt.
That's where the pure oil actually comes from. This verse really hit me this morning because it makes me look at the pressing I've been going through lately differently. It's creating the kind of oil that will keep my light burning continually. Because even if the only thing I have right now came from being pressed I think that's actually the part He wants most.
He doesn't want my perfectly polished faith, Or perfect prayers. He wants the real oil that came out when life squeezed me.
God isn't just teaching them how to build a Temple. He's teaching them what keeps His presence alive. Not impressive hearts, Not busy hearts, Not perfect hearts.
Pressed Hearts ♥️
Some days that's all I have to offer, the oil from the pressing. But that's exactly what he wants from me. That's exactly what he wants from us.
🎵 Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
keep me burning till the break of day. 🎵
Love Pastor Mandy
Ark of Hope Ministry
Daily Reading Exodus 27
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