EXODUS 29:38-45 MORNING AND EVENING There is a consecration that takes place, and it sets aside those who are priests to God once for all time. That act of consecration isn't one to be repeated. But as the people of God we need a continual awareness of who our unchanging God is. That is typified by two lambs that were sacrificial as burnt offerings every morning and evening. Just as the first ray of sun was seen in the east ("the hind of the morning," Ps.22), one of the lambs was slain and offered even as the remnants of the evening sacrifice that were reduced to ashes, were taken away. There was to be a perpetual burnt offering of continual worship and appreciation that was offered with the meal offering and the drink offering at the same time. This was continually going up before the Lord. The altar always had a fire burning during the busyness of the day and in the night when all were sleeping, the fire was still burning. The Lord was receiving the worship of His people constantly. We need to worship our God in the morning as we thank Him for the blessings of salvation and appreciation of all that has been brought to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of the cross for us. It is important that we do the same in the evening, for 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 burning at the same time upon the lamb reminds us of the eternal perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ. The perfect joining of deity and humanity as a Man among men gave worth to the sacrifice. The burnt offering was all burned in an act of total consecration. This would teach us the value of our occupation with our Lord continually. The blessings of such early morning occupation attend every act of service we engage in during the busy hours of the day. Similarly, in the evening it is very important we consider every aspect of our Savior put on display as were the parts of the slain lamb in order on the altar. The skin that was given to the priests would be a type of what God expects of us. We should be observed to be like Christ always. This offering was on-going and even when our Lord was crucified, the meaning of Psalm 22 becomes more real to us. This was the psalm of the morning sacrifice.
An early riser in the camp of Israel perhaps would see a priest carrying a burden through the camp on his way to a clean place outside of the camp where there would be nothing defiling to be found. That walk he would make of an hour or more carrying a load of ashes would remind every person who saw him as they were out gathering manna, that the sacrifice had been made. God is pleased with His own people and His blessings continue. Some untaught might say, "What's the big deal? They are only ashes. The offering has already been consumed." That pile of ashes though, was a testimony to the fact that God never forgets what has brought satisfaction to Him. He is always appreciating what has been given to Him in the way He intended.
Nothing that has been for God alone and given entirely to Him, is 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 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 as a forgotten pile of ashes but to God they are the precious things that still gives delight to God. 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 secret. There were those who watched that burial and appreciated all that the Lord had done for them. There were others who knew of that same 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 who in the morning and evening, meets with the Lord. 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 the sacrifice of Christ. When we are obedient to His Word and are in the place of His choosing, He will meet us there. Not only will He meet us, but He will dwell with us and will share with us in the blessings of the sacrifice He provided. "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." For us to enjoy all that means, we have to realize the value of the sacrifice that has pleased God. When the Lord was dwelling with His people there was evidence of His presence. The cloud and the fire could be seen. The smoke from the brazen altar consuming the morning and evening sacrifice could be smelled. The presence of God was not something secret. We need to maintain all that He commanded and faithfully carry out the pattern so we can enjoy the conscious privilege of God with us.
"Where are you going this morning," one might ask the priest Who is carrying the container of ashes to a carefully designated place; "I am going outside the camp, to a place clean in the sight of God. These ashes belong in a clean place; they testify to the holiness of the Lord."
Some may not realize the need of continual fellowship each day. They often reply to the priest carrying ashes, "I worship in my own way." But the one bearing the ashes outside the camp has been to the altar and seen The value of the Sacrifice offered and the need for a place that is clean.
So, while some go one way, he in obedience goes another. Some may stay where they are for convenience, he is willing to go farther. Outside the camp there may be lepers, but in a clean place the ashes are kept. It was outside the camp the Lord was buried; it was there the worshippers wept.
It was in the evening kind hands buried the Lord in Joseph's own new tomb.
It was in the evening ashes of the morning was moved so there was more room For the evening sacrifice to be laid in its orderly fashion, and then Through the night it burned before God as the smoke of the sacrifice did ascend.
When the first rays of the dawning day were seen in the eastern sky, The collected ashes were taken to where they were seen by God's eye. While men saw only the new sacrifice and the flame and smoke ascending. God saw that, but also the ashes, bringing satisfaction that never is ending.
The morning and evening sacrifices remind us of a price that was paid. The sins and guilt that followed, upon the Lamb of God were laid. Now in the morning and evening there is also incense on another altar placed. And as priests, we go into worship our God and praised Him for His grace.
"Father, there is great benefit to my soul in these mornings and evenings. "Unto us which believe, He is the preciousness" is not just a scripture quotation but a reality in my soul. I thank You so much. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."