Morning and Evening. Exodus 29:38-45 A consecration occurs, permanently setting apart those called as priests to God. This act of consecration doesn't need to be repeated. However, as God's people, we must maintain a constant awareness of who our unchanging God is. This is illustrated by two lambs sacrificed as burnt offerings every morning and evening. Just as the first light of dawn appeared in the east, "the hind of the morning" (Ps.22), one of the lambs was slain and offered, even as the ashes from the evening sacrifice were carried away.
There was to be a perpetual burnt offering of continuous worship and gratitude offered alongside the meal offering and the drink offering at the same time. This was constantly rising before the Lord. The altar always had a fire burning during the busy part of the day, and at night, when everyone was sleeping, the fire was still burning. The Lord was constantly receiving the worship of His people. We need to worship our God in the morning as we thank Him for the blessings of salvation and appreciate all that has been given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. It is important to do the same in the evening because God is always awake and working in blessing upon us. "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."
The meal offering to be burned along with the lamb reminds us of the eternal perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ. The perfect union of deity and humanity as a Man among men gave value to the sacrifice. The burnt offering was entirely consumed in an act of complete consecration. This teaches us the importance of continually engaging with our Lord. The blessings of such early morning devotion benefit every act of service we perform during the busy hours of the day. Likewise, in the evening, it is crucial to consider every aspect of our Savior displayed, just as the parts of the slain lamb were arranged on the altar. The skin given to the priests symbolizes what God expects from us. We should strive to resemble Christ at all times. This offering was continuous, and even when our Lord was crucified, the meaning of Psalm 22 became even more real to us. This was the psalm of the morning sacrifice.
An early riser in the camp of Israel might see a priest carrying a burden through the camp on his way to a clean place outside of the camp where nothing unclean could be found. That walk, lasting an hour or more while carrying a load of ashes, would serve as a reminder to everyone who saw him—while they were out gathering manna—that the sacrifice had been made. God is pleased with His own people, and His blessings continue. Some who are unlearned might say, "What's the big deal? They are only ashes. The offering has already been consumed." However, that pile of ashes stands as a testament to the fact that God never forgets what has satisfied Him. He always appreciates what has been given to Him in the way He intended.
Nothing that has been dedicated solely to God and given completely to Him is ever forgotten. A woman giving her last two mites is not forgotten. Mary breaking an alabaster box of spikenard and pouring it on the Savior is not forgotten. A sister who comes to remember the Lord in the way He has appointed and brings her praise and thanksgiving is not forgotten. What is done for the Lord Jesus may never be seen or appreciated by men, but God does not forget.
The "ashes" in the "clean place" are remembered by Him. They may seem to us like a forgotten pile of ashes, but to God, they are the precious things that still delight Him. The body of the Lord Jesus was placed in an "outside place" in Joseph's "new tomb." That was a clean place, and it wasn't a secret. There were those who watched that burial and appreciated all that the Lord had done for them. Others knew of that place and didn't appreciate it at all - "Lest some should say He is risen from the dead."
It is a great blessing to the soul that meets with the Lord in the morning and evening. The Lord said, "I will meet you to speak there unto thee." God does not connect with His own people through strange feelings or out-of-the-body experiences. He meets where His people consider the preciousness of Christ’s sacrifice. When we are obedient to His Word and are in His chosen place, He will meet us there. Not only will He meet us, but He will dwell with us and share the blessings of the sacrifice He provided. "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."
To truly enjoy everything that means, we must recognize the value of the sacrifice that pleased God. Evidence of His presence was visible when the Lord dwelled with His people. The cloud and fire could be seen, and the smoke from the bronze altar as it consumed the morning and evening sacrifices could be smelled. God's presence was not something hidden. We need to keep all His commands and faithfully follow the pattern so we can be aware of the privilege of having God with us.