How does the priest maintain the fire?
What role does the priest play in keeping the fire burning continually?

Key verse

“‘The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on the fire; he shall burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.’” (Leviticus 6:12)


Continuous fire: priestly responsibility

• The command is personal: “the priest is to.”

• The duty is daily: “every morning.”

• The goal is uninterrupted flame: “must not go out.”

• The task is two-fold—remove yesterday’s ashes and supply today’s fuel.


Removing yesterday’s ashes (Leviticus 6:10–11)

• Ashes symbolize completed sacrifice; if left, they smother fresh fire.

• The priest dresses in linen, lifts out the ashes, changes garments, and carries them outside the camp—keeping the holy and the common distinct.

• This clears space for new worship and prevents complacency (Psalm 51:17).


Adding fresh wood (Leviticus 6:12)

• Wood provided heat for new offerings; without it, no sacrificial aroma rose (Ephesians 5:2).

• The priest chooses, carries, and arranges the wood—intentional preparation rather than casual tossing.

• Exodus 29:38-42 shows this was to happen “morning and twilight,” emphasizing constancy.


Arranging the burnt offering (Leviticus 6:12, 9)

• The entire animal is laid out, consumed wholly—an image of total devotion (Romans 12:1).

• Placement matters: the priest positions the offering so it burns evenly, safeguarding continuous flame and complete atonement symbolism (Hebrews 10:14).


Burning the fat of peace offerings

• Fat represents richness; its smoke conveyed fellowship with God (Leviticus 3:16).

• By adding it to the already-burning altar, the priest united varied sacrifices in one steady flame, portraying the fullness of communion (Psalm 20:3-4).


Guarding holy fire (Numbers 3:10; 18:5)

• Unauthorized persons could not tend the altar; holiness required consecrated hands.

• Failure—like Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire (Leviticus 10:1-2)—invited judgment, underscoring the gravity of the role.


Echoes in later Scripture

• 2 Chronicles 7:1-3—God’s fire falls, priests maintain it.

• Nehemiah 13:29—priestly duties protected from neglect.

• Hebrews 13:15—believers continually offer “sacrifice of praise,” echoing the never-ending altar flame.

• 2 Timothy 1:6—“fan into flame” the gift of God, reflecting priestly vigilance applied to every Christian.


Priestly patterns for believers today

• We are “a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5); the call to tend the fire now rests on every follower of Christ.

• Daily confession removes yesterday’s ashes (1 John 1:9).

• Regular intake of Scripture and prayer adds fresh wood (Jeremiah 20:9).

• Wholehearted surrender places the living sacrifice on the altar (Romans 12:1-2).

• Continual praise and fellowship keep the flame visible to the world (Matthew 5:16).


Summary

The priest keeps the fire burning by clearing away old ashes, adding new fuel, and properly arranging each day’s sacrifices. His vigilant, hands-on service ensures uninterrupted worship, models wholehearted devotion, and foreshadows the perpetual spiritual flame every believer is now called to guard and feed.

How does Leviticus 6:12 emphasize the importance of maintaining spiritual discipline daily?
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