The 29th positive commandment urges us to ignite the fire of faith within ourselves. Are you ablaze with unwavering faith, or has your fervor grown cold? Reflect on how your faith has evolved and whether you’ve allowed it to wane over time. Consider the significance of keeping the fire of faith burning brightly in your life, as we explore the essence of this powerful commandment.
P29 – To keep a fire burning on the altar for burnt offerings continually, as Leviticus 6:6 states: “And you shall keep a fire burning continuously on the altar.[1]” (Standard Christian Bibles Lev 6:13)
While the command of P29 specifically focuses on the altar, it plays a crucial role as the primary source of fire for the entire Temple. The Altar of Burnt Offering supplies the sacred fire used to light both the incense altar and the menorah. In Leviticus 9:24, we learn that on the eighth day, following Aaron and his sons’ seven-day dedication, God’s fire consumed the offerings on the altar, signifying divine acceptance. From that point on, the fire was to burn perpetually, symbolizing the everlasting presence of God in the Temple.
The symbolism at the core of the Apostolic Writings permeates the entire faith, representing itself in positive and negative forms. This metaphor holds immense significance within the Body, profoundly influencing the interpretation of our beliefs. Although I generally refrain from using specific Bible translations as proof texts, I encountered one that explicitly conveys this message, emphasizing the widespread understanding of the metaphor’s importance.
Romans 12:11 (NIRV)
11 Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.
While the above translation might not align precisely with the original Greek, it does capture the heart of the verse. The underlying message emphasizes the significance of keeping our zeal and passion for the LORD alive. Paul alludes to a similar concept when he encourages Timothy to nurture his own flame of faith.
2 Timothy 1:6 (TLV)
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
From a cultural standpoint, it’s important to note that the fire on the altar has a significance beyond merely being used for burning sacrifices. In this context, the fire is understood to have a distinct and deeper meaning.
As this is a commandment on its own; since besides the fire for the sacrifice, they would place fire on the altar for this commandment – and as they, may their memory be blessed, expounded (Yoma 45a), there were three arrangements of fire [derived] from the verses, as we will write in the laws of this commandment[2].
The concept behind the three fires is intriguing: one for the commandment to keep the fire burning continually, another for the service of the burnt offerings, and one more for lighting the incense altar. Initially, I was skeptical about this idea, but upon careful consideration, it now makes perfect sense to me.
The Temple service and its associated commands served a very literal purpose in the past, and they are expected to do so again in the future. While it’s crucial not to overlook the original literal intent of these commands, my research into the Apostolic Writings has revealed a fascinating dimension. Many of these commands are now applied beyond their literal meanings, allowing for personal participation and offering a more spiritual and personal goal.
How do you personally keep the fires lit? My desire in finding the 613 commandments in the New Testament is to understand how Jesus applied these teachings in the lives of Believers. I am striving to comprehend what it looks like for a disciple of Yeshua to grasp and apply these laws. With this goal in mind, I find it easy to grasp the spiritual concept shared in the above reference.
You must maintain an internal life of faith that is healthy, fervent, zealous, and on fire for God. Only with such a vibrant faith can you fully offer yourself sacrificially, serving others even to the point of death. Engaging in communal prayers, which are like incense before God, requires a soul ablaze with fire as you seek His purpose and will within creation. As an example, without that fire, these prayers risk becoming mere rote recitations, lacking effectiveness.
Jesus points out the symptoms that occur when you forget to fan those flames. These signs become evident as you begin to grow in selfishness, losing your passion for others over yourself. Your zeal fades, and you no longer have God as your focus, serving yourself rather than Him. Fire is inherently hot, so its absence signifies growing cold in your faith.
Matthew 24:12 (ESV)
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Contextually, the aforementioned verse in Matthew refers to Believers, not the world. Consider this for a moment: as we increasingly serve ourselves, our commitment to living by God’s ways diminishes. It’s disheartening to witness the Body of Messiah growing cold in our times. When the fire of faith goes out, all the functions that originated from that initial fire cease—our service to others dwindles, and our prayers lose their potency as incense before God.
Proverbs 28:9 (ESV)
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
The maintenance of the fire belongs to you and me within our own faith. We sing songs about God reigniting the fire, stoking the fires of our soul, and so on, but are we doing our part to enable the fires to burn? It’s a partnership. God doesn’t force you to walk with Him, but He does beckon you.
And in the explanation, they said that even though the fire descends from the heavens, it is a commandment to bring it from the commoners (humans)[3].
Are you doing your part to stoke the fires of your soul in service to God? There are numerous miracles cited surrounding the altar and its fires. God miraculously assisted with maintaining the fire when it was tended properly. However, when the Spirit departed, sustaining the fire became nearly impossible as they couldn’t harvest wood fast enough before the previous load was consumed. Though I’m having trouble finding the exact reference I’ve read in the past, I did find a hint at it in Yoma 39a.[4]
A second example is the thin veneer of bronze that wasn’t enough to prevent the acacia wood beneath it from being destroyed, yet through God’s miraculous intervention, it was protected.[5] While this is a midrash and shouldn’t be taken literally, it serves a solid point. We are thinly veiled in these suits of skin and bones, and perhaps keeping a fire constantly burning may seem difficult or even self-destructive. However, when we do it within the guidelines set out by God in Torah, and as demonstrated by Jesus our Master, we not only thrive, but we also bring about incomprehensible change to the world around us.
While researching this commandment, the synonymous nature of zeal and fire (in this respect) kept coming to the foreground. We are constantly called to be zealous in our faith, and it feels appropriate to conclude with this Biblical quote.
Revelation 3:19–20 (ESV)
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.
In this statement, we find two Greek imperatives (commands): ‘Be zealous’ and ‘repent.’ It is no wonder that zeal and fire are so closely linked as synonyms in this regard, even in secular sources. Therefore, let us keep our fire and zeal hot for God and return (repent) to His ways, fanning those flames of passion within us.