And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- The opening word places these instructions in real time, directly following the revelations about the appointed feasts in Leviticus 23. God’s dealings with His people unfold in an orderly progression, showing that every command fits into His larger redemptive plan (Psalm 33:11, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations”).
- Scripture often marks pivotal moments with “Then,” signaling the next step in God’s unfolding purpose (Genesis 15:1; Exodus 24:12).
- For the Israelites in the wilderness, this “then” means fresh guidance for daily worship—proof that God does not leave His people guessing about how to live for Him.
- The Speaker is the covenant-keeping God, the same LORD who delivered Israel from Egypt (Exodus 20:2). His unchanging character guarantees the truth and permanence of every word He gives (Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 42:8).
- Because the LORD is holy, His commands about the lamp and the bread in the verses that follow reflect His own nature—pure, constant, and life-sustaining (Leviticus 24:2-9; James 1:17).
- Throughout Scripture, when “the LORD” speaks, creation, history, and human hearts must respond (Psalm 29:3-9; Jonah 1:1-3).
- God communicates; He is not silent. His speech is authoritative revelation, not suggestion.
• Genesis 1:3 shows the creative power of His word: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
• 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “All Scripture is God-breathed,” underscoring that every syllable, including this brief command in Leviticus 24:1, carries divine authority.
• Hebrews 1:1-2 illustrates continuity: the same God who spoke “long ago… by the prophets” now opens His mouth to Moses.
- Because God “said,” His people are obligated to hear and obey (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; John 10:27).
- The message is delivered to God’s chosen mediator. Numbers 12:7-8 highlights Moses’ unique role: “With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles.”
- Moses stands as a faithful steward, receiving divine instruction and passing it to Israel (Deuteronomy 34:10; Acts 7:37-38).
- The pattern—God speaking to Moses for the sake of the community—foreshadows the final Mediator, Jesus Christ, through whom God now speaks directly to all who believe (John 1:17; Hebrews 3:1-6).
Leviticus 24:1, though short, is loaded with meaning. “Then” anchors the verse in God’s unfolding agenda; “the LORD” reveals the unchanging, holy source of the command; “said” stresses the authority and life-giving power of divine speech; and “to Moses” identifies the appointed channel through whom God shepherds His people. Together these words affirm that every detail of Scripture matters, that God still speaks with clarity and purpose, and that obedient hearts will always find guidance when they listen to His voice.
XXIV.(1) And the Lord spake unto Moses.--The regulations about the annual festivals and the ritual connected with them are now followed by directions with regard to the daily service and its ritual.
Verses 1-4. - The ordinance on the lamps contained in the first three verses is repeated from Exodus 27:20. The oil to be used for the lamps was to be pure oil olive, that is, oil made of picked berries, without any intermixture of dust or twigs; and it was to be beaten instead of "pressed," because when the berries were crushed in the olive-press, small portions of them became mixed with and discoloured the oil, which was, therefore, less pure than when the fruit was simply beaten and then left to drain. The lamps were to burn continually; that is, from evening to morning every night. Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation; that is, in the holy place, as distinct from the holy of holies. Aaron, either personally or by his sons (see Exodus 27:21), was to dress the lamps every morning, and light them every evening (Exodus 30:7). The lamps were upon the seven-branched candlestick, which is called the pure candlestick, because made of gold. The light of the seven-branched candlestick symbolized the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, which should illumine God's Church (Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 1:12, 20).