The Night Light

“Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning.” Exodus 27:2

“Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning, burning, burning.  Give me oil in my lamp, I pray. (Hallelujah!)   Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning; keep me burning till the break of day.”

If you ask how many times I’ve sung that song, I’ve lost count because the catchy kids tune was a favorite at children’s choir, VBS, and music time at school, but if you ask when the words clicked in real life, I’ll tell you right now.  Finally, after over forty years of smiling and singing, the message makes sense because of today’s scripture.  It’s a reference to the directive God gave His people when they built His special tent—keep the lamps lit all night long.

Actually the lights were never to go out— “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually”(Ex 27:20).  The priests were told to “tend the lamps in the morning”(Ex 30:7), but specific instruction was given to Aaron and his sons to “keep the lamps burning before the Lord from morning until evening”(Ex 27:21).  Why? Since the tabernacle had no windows, it made sense to keep the lamps lit during the day to give light for the priests to do their work of worship and offerings, but why have them burn bright at night when no one was around to see?

Perhaps the never-ending night light was a symbol of God’s never-failing love.  Maybe the always-burning, golden lamps were signs of God’s always abiding presence—even in our darkness.  It could be God knew that right now as you read this, you might need the reminder that no tragedy, no transgression, no devil, and no despair can dim His brilliant grace. 

In heaven there will be no need for night lights, for eternity is one long, glorious day where “the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp”(Rev 21:23), but until then, keep your wick trimmed by being in His Word and let the oil of His Spirit shine brightly in your life—even in the darkness.

Sometimes the night is long, but God’s supply never runs short.

His grace will “keep me burnin’ till the break of day!”