There is a fascinating meaning in the Hebrew word used in the Old Testament where God gave the instructions for these continual rituals. The word in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary is H8548 tamiyd (pronounced taw-meed’) – “From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: – alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.” (from Strong’s Dictionary of the Hebrew Bible)
The ancient pictographic Hebrew characters that this word comes from are also very interesting. The first two characters express the concept of stretching out a carpet on the ground for guests to rest on, or stretching out a thread, emphasizing the idea of continuance, something going from “here” to “there” without interruption. The third character is the symbol for “covenant” which, in combination with the other two, brings out the meaning of an unbroken or uninterrupted covenant.
When we keep this “picture” in our minds as we think about what the Priests did each day, continually, it is a beautiful concept of Jesus continually ministering on our behalf, for our benefit and spiritual growth. It is not merely daily, as in today, tomorrow, the next day, etc. It means continual, without interruption, in an unbroken sequence, at all times. God gave us a wonderful parable here to teach us about what Jesus does for us.
The Continual Ministry
God specified four basic rituals for the Priests to do continually. These rituals are centered around the four most prominent items of furniture in the Courtyard and in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary.
Burnt Offering–
Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. Exodus 29:38
On the Altar of Burnt Offering a lamb was continually burning. This was not a sin offering but a symbol of consecration, dedication, and atonement in the sense of their exclusive commitment and submission to God. We must personally enter into this facet of the “Continual” by consecrating ourselves fully to God for His purposes.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2
Incense–
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Exodus 30:7, 8
At the Altar of Incense, the Priest would burn incense and pray, symbolizing intercession for the people before God. Let us offer our prayers along with the sweet incense of Jesus’ continual intercession.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2
Light–
Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. Without the veil of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute forever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. Leviticus 24:2-4
The lamps on the Candlestick were always burning showing that the spiritual power and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit were continually available. God has provided such a wonderful blessing for us in the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us overcome sin in our lives.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16:13
Bread (and Wine)–
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always. Exodus 25:30
Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. Leviticus 24:8
The Shewbread was made fresh every Sabbath and kept on the Table of Shewbread to symbolize the nourishment of the Word of God, and Jesus, the Bread of Life. We are not told specifically that there was a continual supply of wine there, but since there were instructions for the utensils for containing and serving it (v. 29), we can assume that it was included.
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:33-35
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. John 6:53-58
Let us not neglect this essential food for our spiritual lives.
This continual ministration in the earthly Sanctuary is a symbol of Christ’s continual ministry on our behalf in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Every day we need His atonement to maintain our personal connection and commitment to God, His intercession to maintain our communication with God, and His gift of the Holy Spirit’s power to live the life He wants. Every day we need His Word, but especially on Sabbath, we need an extra provision of spiritual nourishment to give us spiritual life.
The lamps in the earthly sanctuary were to burn continually. Lev. 24:2. So the Christian is ever to let the Spirit of God rule in his life, and thus shed its light abroad. None but the high priest could perform the sacred work of lighting the lamps in the earthly sanctuary; he trimmed and lighted them each morning and evening. Ex. 30:7, 8. So none but our High Priest, who was “tempted in all points like as we are,” (Heb. 4:15.) can give us the help we need. In the morning we need His Spirit to direct us during the day; and at evening we need it to enlighten our minds as we review the work of the day, that we may detect the flaws and dropped threads in the warp of our lives. The trimming and lighting of the lamps was a beautiful type with a daily lesson for us at the present time. It was a link in that marvelous threefold typical chain of service celebrated each morning and evening, while “the whole multitude of the people were praying without” the sanctuary. Luke 1:10. The whole burnt-offering in the court, the incense, and the burning lamps within the sanctuary, – all were a wonderful type which will never lose its beauty.
The priests served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things;” therefore there is a heavenly lesson for us in the antitype of the showbread. It was a continual offering, ever before the Lord. It taught that man was wholly dependent upon God for both temporal and spiritual food, and that both alike come to us through the One who “ever liveth to make intercession” for us before the Father. Heb. 7:25.
The name of Jesus is often added to prayers in a meaningless way. Many prayers are spoken for a mere form of worship, and rise no higher than the head of the one who offers them; but every prayer of faith reaches the ear of the God of the universe. David understood what was typified by the incense, and prayed, “Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Ps. 141:2.
As there was no other part of the daily ministration that brought the priest so directly into the presence of God as the offering of incense; so there is no part of our religious service that brings us so close to the Master as the pouring out of our souls in earnest prayer. Anciently, as in the antitype, the prayer of faith entered the “holy dwelling-place” of God in heaven. 2 Chron. 30:27.
A lamb was burned upon the brazen altar in the court each morning and evening at the time the incense was renewed upon the altar. Ex. 29:38-42. The golden altar (of incense) was an “altar of continual intercession,” representing the prayers of God’s people coming up before Him continually; while the brazen altar (of sacrifice) was an “altar of continual atonement,” representing the putting away and destruction of sin, the only thing that separates us from God and prevents our prayers from being answered.
The morning and evening lamb was offered as a whole burnt offering for the entire congregation, showing their desire to put away sin and consecrate themselves to the Lord, so that their prayers could ascend from off the altar with the fragrant incense.” (from The Cross and Its Shadow by S. N. Haskel, pp. 52, 56, 61, 62)
The Continual Provisions
Along with the daily, continual rituals that the Priest performed, there were things that were continually provided at the Sanctuary.
Fire on the Altar of Burnt Offering–
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6:13
There are several instances in the Old Testament when God sent fire to consume an offering.
Gideon – Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. Judges 6:21
Elijah – Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:38
Solomon – Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 Chronicles 7:1
The fire was a sign that God accepted the offering but it also indicated that the person offering it was accepted.
Cain and Abel – By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4
The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, in accordance with the Lord’s directions. “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the Lord’s direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded with his brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but his entreaties only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will. As the eldest, he felt above being admonished by his brother, and despised his counsel. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 71
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 1 John 3:12
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. Proverbs 15:8
A sacrifice is not offered in order to gain God’s favor or approval; He approves of and accepts the offering when He has previously approved the offerer who is living by faith according to His will.
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 1 Chronicles 29:17
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
The continual fire reminds us that God is gracious and continually extends acceptance to those who come to Him in sincere faith.
Water in the Laver for Washing / Cleansing–
The word tamiyd (Hebrew for “continual”) is not used in reference to the Laver, but it is inferred because there was always water available for the Priests to wash.
Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations. Exodus 30:18-21
Sin is all around us in what we see and hear and experience. We may not immediately realize its effect on us just as we don’t see the pathogens that are in our environment or immediately feel ill when we get in contact with them. But we will be affected by them if our immune system is less than optimal and we don’t attempt to cleanse our bodies. In the same way, we need continual cleansing from contact with the contaminations of this sinful world, the hidden and unperceived influences that can develop into a sin condition in our lives. God provides that cleansing through The Word – Jesus the Word, and the Word of Scripture.
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
Guidance and Protection in the Pillar of Cloud and Fire–
So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Numbers 9:16-21
God was always present in the Pillar of Cloud that stood over the Sanctuary to give shade in the daytime, light and warmth at night, and guidance in their travels. Let us trust God completely and take full advantage of His willingness to guide us through our whole life.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Two items that the High Priest wore were specified as symbols of continual mediation.
The Breastplate of Judgment–
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. Exodus 28:29, 30
Each one of us is intimately important to our Great High Priest. He bears us “upon His heart.”
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bore them, and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9
For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
We have a righteous Advocate who represents us before the righteous Judge of the universe
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25
. . . the Lord, the righteous judge, . . . 2 Timothy 4:8
Our Judge sees to the very core of all our motives and actions. This is scary to the person who is deliberate in their sin and unrepentant; but to a repentant sinner it is a great comfort and confidence.
. . . the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The Golden Crown of Holiness –
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the miter; upon the forefront of the miter it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. Exodus 28:36-38
In these verses we are told that the High Priest would always bear iniquity. There are many places throughout the Old Testament where bearing iniquity is mentioned. Here is a sample:
But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity. Leviticus 17:16
And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Ezekiel 44:10
We can learn some very interesting things as we study what it means to “bear iniquity.” The idea in this phrase seems to be more than just pardon or forgiveness although it is sometimes translated that way in the KJV.
The idea portrayed in the word “bear” is that of lifting or picking up and carrying something. In Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary this word is number H5375 and appears many times in the Old Testament. Here are a few examples:
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up (H5375) the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. Genesis 7:17 (The waters picked up and carried the ark and it was raised up above the earth.)
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought (H5375) the locusts. Exodus 10:13 (The wind picked up and carried the locusts.)
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying (H5375) three kids, and another carrying (H5375) three loaves of bread, and another carrying (H5375) a bottle of wine: 1 Samuel 10:3
Another concept in the word “bear” seems to be to carry goods in inventory until they are sold or to carry a debt in the account books without demanding repayment immediately. Here is a passage that sheds some light on this idea:
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon (H5375) your transgressions: for my name is in him. Exodus 23:20, 21 (This angel seems to have been given authority to dole out immediate retribution rather than carrying the account, being longsuffering, as God Himself would be.)
The meaning of “iniquity” seems to be not merely a particular sin or evil, but guilt, responsibility, fault, the condition of alienation from God that makes reconciliation and consecration necessary. In Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary it is number H5771. Here is a sampling of verses that speak of iniquity:
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity (H5771) of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity (H5771) of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezekiel 18:20
But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity (H5771). Numbers 30:15 (As the head of the home, the husband carries the responsibility for his wife’s actions in certain cases.)
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity (H5771), and this woman shall bear her iniquity (H5771). Numbers 5:31 (If he had falsely accused her, he would be guilty and punishable. (Deuteronomy 19:16-21) If she was found guilty, she was punishable and he was cleared.)
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity (H5771). Leviticus 5:1
From these few examples we can understand that the phrase “bear iniquity” means to pick up and carry guilt for an act. It is important to note that God describes Himself by the use of these words.
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving (H5375) iniquity (H5771) and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:6, 7
Either we bear our iniquity (carry our debt of guilt) and receive the retribution for it, or we accept God’s provision of a substitute – our “Sinbearer.” As sinful humans we are all guilty and our condition is very much like the debtor in Jesus’ parable who owed 10,000 talents. (see Matthew 18:23+) That was an enormous sum of money, possibly equal in modern terms to $10 billion. On the normal wages earned in that era, it would take him over 300,000 years to pay it off. He expressed very noble intentions of repaying the debt in verse 26 but it was an impossible task. It is the same for us. We can never make amends for the guilt of our sin, our heinous crime of high treason against the Ruler of the Universe. But God is willing to be longsuffering, not demanding “repayment” from repentant sinners.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
The Lord Jesus is our Sinbearer. God covers the repenting sinner with His forgiveness, and hides the sin from the sight of God by clothing him with the perfection of righteousness. 1899MS, p. 23
The concept of a substitute is portrayed for us in what Paul did when he wrote to Philemon regarding Onesimus. Paul owed nothing to Philemon in reality but voluntarily took responsibility for whatever Onesimus might owe.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: . . . Philemon 1:18, 19
God has done everything He can possibly do to change our attitude toward Him so we will return to Him. He is even willing to “bear the iniquity,” to carry the guilt of our sin, so that we can be saved from its consequences.
Summary
All of these “Continual” provisions in the Sanctuary are reminders of God’s great love and wonderful Plan to bring us back from the alienation, the separation from Him, that our sin caused. We need to understand and always remember that the Plan of Salvation was initiated by God so that we would turn back to Him and love Him again after rejecting Him. It was His idea, not ours. He does not need to be reconciled to us – He has always loved us – but we needed to be brought back to Him.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
The “Daily” or “Continual” ministration of Aaron and the other High Priests is a beautiful picture of what Jesus, our High Priest, is doing continually for us. He is providing everything we need to be saved.
Will you accept Him as your personal High Priest and allow Him to continually do these things for you?