Monday, 10th August 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「你要吩咐以色列人，把那為點燈搗成的清橄欖油拿來給你，使燈常常點着。」——出埃及記27:20
當我們繼續閱讀出埃及記第26至27章，會不斷看見一個字，就是「要」。要製造祭壇，要做院子的帷子，要設立柱子，要預備入口，也要把清橄欖油帶來，使燈常常點着。這些「要」並不是神要求以色列人靠行為換取祂的恩典。因為在神吩咐他們建造會幕以前，祂已經主動拯救他們離開埃及，帶領他們經過紅海，在曠野供應他們，又在西奈山與他們立約。
神的恩典永遠走在人的回應之前。以色列人在埃及寄居四百三十年，其中一段漫長的時間更成為法老手下的奴僕。他們沒有能力拯救自己，是神親自把他們帶出來。當他們離開埃及時，神也使埃及人把金器、銀器和衣裳交給他們。後來，神吩咐他們建造會幕，他們便學習把神所賜的分別出來，成為建造神居所的材料。
然而，第27章的中心不只是奉獻材料。會幕是神住在以色列人中間的記號，而第27章則進一步教導他們：有罪的人應當怎樣親近聖潔的神，又怎樣持續活在祂的同在中。
這也是我們今天的需要。我們可能曾經經歷神，也曾經為神火熱；但是，當生活忙碌、環境困難，或禱告一段時間仍然看不見改變，我們與神的關係便容易慢慢冷淡。
神所要的，不是我們偶然來到祂面前，而是我們每天持續活在祂的同在中。
出埃及記第27章藉着銅祭壇、會幕院子的界線，以及燈臺所需的橄欖油，讓我們看見持續活在神同在中的三個重要次序：救贖是根基，聖潔是生活，持續是關係。
一、來到祭壇——信靠神所預備的救贖
「你要用皂莢木作壇。這壇要四方的，長五肘，寬五肘，高三肘。」——出埃及記27:1
第27章首先記載銅祭壇的製造。祭壇位於會幕的院子之內。當以色列人進入院子，來到神的居所前，他們便會面對祭壇。祭壇提醒他們：神是聖潔的，人卻有罪；人不能靠自己的功德，也不能按照自己的方法來到神面前。
然而，神沒有因此拒絕人。祂主動設立獻祭的制度，使祭牲代替犯罪的人被獻上，讓人的罪得到遮蓋，使人可以重新親近祂。所以，祭壇所顯明的，首先不是人的擺上，而是神所預備的救贖。
從整本聖經來看，祭壇上的祭牲指向耶穌基督。祂成為神所預備的羔羊，親自擔當我們的罪，一次獻上自己，為我們完成救贖。我們今天能夠來到神面前，不是因為我們表現得好，也不是因為我們禱告得夠多、服事得夠久，而是因為耶穌已經為我們付上罪的代價。
很多時候，當我們失敗、軟弱或犯罪之後，便不敢親近神。我們以為要先把自己整理好，神才會接納我們。但祭壇提醒我們：不是我們先把自己變好，才回到神面前；而是我們願意承認自己的罪和軟弱，信靠神所預備的救贖，重新回到祂面前。
這並不代表我們可以輕看罪。祭壇同時讓我們看見，罪有真實而沉重的代價。當我們明白基督為我們付出了甚麼，便不應繼續隨意犯罪，而要以感恩和敬畏的心回應祂。持續活在神的同在中，不是每天重新得救，而是每天重新信靠基督已經完成的救贖，不再依靠自己的表現，也不因失敗而逃避神。
二、尊重界線——按照神所定的方式生活
「你要做帳幕的院子。院子的南面要用撚的細麻做帷子，長一百肘。」——出埃及記27:9
第9至19節詳細記載會幕院子的尺寸、帷子、柱子、銅座和入口。神為甚麼要如此仔細地規定院子的每一個尺寸和做法？因為會幕不是按照人的喜好建造，而是按照神所指示的樣式設立。院子的帷子形成清楚的界線，把神的居所與外面的營地分別開來，顯明神的同在是聖潔的，不能被人隨便對待。
但是，院子並非完全封閉。神在東面為百姓預備入口，使他們可以進入院子，來到祭壇前獻祭。院子的界線和入口，同時讓我們看見神的聖潔與恩典：神的聖潔設立界線，神的恩典卻為人預備入口。人不能按照自己的意思隨意來到神面前，卻可以按照神所設立的道路親近祂。
以色列人不能一方面宣稱自己是神的百姓，另一方面仍然按照埃及的價值和生活方式而活。他們既然已被神救贖和分別出來，便要學習尊重神所設立的界線，按照神的話語生活。同樣，今天我們親近神，不只是尋求一種舒服的感覺，也不只是希望神解決我們的困難。真正活在神的同在中，就是承認神在我們生命中擁有主權。
神的話語也會在我們的生活中設立界線。
當我們想用謊言保護自己時，神呼召我們選擇誠實；當我們被人傷害時，神呼召我們放下苦毒，學習饒恕；當我們使用金錢時，神呼召我們忠心管理，尊祂為大；當我們面對重要決定時，神呼召我們先尋求祂的心意。
建造院子的材料也是神先賜給以色列人的。他們只是把從神而來的，重新分別出來歸給神。這提醒我們，時間、能力、財物、家庭、工作和機會，都是神先交在我們手中的。
神所要的，不只是我們奉獻一部分給祂，而是我們承認整個生命都屬於祂。按照神的方式親近祂，就是不再把信仰限制在聚會和禱告中，而是在每天的生活選擇裏尊重祂的聖潔，讓祂在我們生命中作主。
三、守住燈火——每天維持與神的關係
「在會幕中法櫃前的幔外，亞倫和他的兒子，從晚上到早晨，要在耶和華面前經理這燈。這要作以色列人世世代代永遠的定例。」——出埃及記27:21
第27章最後提到燈臺所需要的橄欖油。燈火不會因為曾經被點着，便自動一直燃燒下去。燈要按照神的吩咐持續發光，百姓便要把搗成的清橄欖油帶來，亞倫和他的子孫也要從晚上到早晨在神面前管理這燈。
百姓要忠心供應燈油，祭司要忠心管理燈火。這不是一時的活動，而是世世代代要遵守的定例。神所要的，不只是一時的熱心，而是持續的忠心。我們的屬靈生命也很容易像燈火一樣，慢慢變得微弱。
我們可能曾經很渴慕神，每天禱告、讀經，也熱心服事；但隨着生活變得忙碌，或者經歷失望和疲倦，我們便漸漸減少親近神，甚至只剩下外面的服事，裏面的燈火卻已經微弱。一次的禱告、一次的感動、一次深刻的屬靈經歷，不能代替每天與神同行。
第20節特別提到「搗成的清橄欖油」。經文原本所強調的是，以色列人要預備合適而純淨的油，祭司也要持續忠心地管理燈火。應用在我們身上，這提醒我們：維持與神的關係同樣需要時間、忠心和實際的選擇。
早晨起來時，我們可以立刻拿起手機，也可以先安靜來到神面前；面對困難時，我們可以只依靠自己的方法，也可以先尋求神；心裏受傷時，我們可以讓苦毒繼續累積，也可以把傷痛帶到神面前，讓祂醫治。
守住燈火，不代表我們每天都會有強烈的感動，而是即使沒有特別感覺，仍然選擇禱告；即使環境沒有改變，仍然選擇信靠；即使身體疲倦，仍然願意把心轉向神。真正持續的屬靈生命，不是一直停留在屬靈高峰，而是在平凡的日子裏，仍然忠心地親近神。
我們不能只依靠昨天與神的關係，也不能只懷念過去曾經如何火熱。神所關心的是：今天，我們是否仍然願意來到祂面前？是否仍然願意聆聽祂的話？是否仍然願意順服祂？
神不只是要我們曾經點着，更要我們守住燈火，使生命持續在祂面前發光。
出埃及記第27章不只是記載會幕器具的製造方法，更是教導神的百姓怎樣親近祂，並且持續活在祂的同在中。祭壇提醒我們，救贖是根基。我們不是依靠自己的表現，而是信靠神藉着耶穌基督所完成的救贖。院子的界線提醒我們，聖潔是生活。蒙恩的人不能繼續按照自己的意思生活，而要尊重神的話語，讓祂在生命中作主。
持續供應的橄欖油提醒我們，持續是關係。我們不能只依靠過去的感動和經歷，而要每天忠心地親近神，守住生命的燈火。
神先救贖，然後呼召我們回應；神先打開道路，然後呼召我們分別為聖；神先點着生命，然後呼召我們忠心守住。所以，持續活在神的同在中，不只是每天完成一套宗教程序，而是每天信靠基督的救贖，按照神的話語生活，並且在平凡的日子裏忠心地維持與祂的關係。
神所要的，不是我們偶然來到祂面前，而是我們一生持續活在祂的同在中。
省察
- 我是否因為自己的失敗和軟弱而逃避神，忘記了耶穌已經為我預備回到父神面前的道路？
- 我的信仰是否只停留在聚會和禱告中，還是我願意在每天的生活選擇中尊重神的界線，讓祂作主？
- 我生命的燈現在是明亮、微弱，還是正在慢慢熄滅？今天我需要重新恢復甚麼，使自己持續親近神？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢愛我們，藉着耶穌基督為我們預備救贖，使我們可以坦然來到祢面前。主啊，求祢赦免我們常常依靠自己的表現。當我們軟弱失敗時，我們容易逃避祢；當生活順利時，我們又容易忘記祢。求祢幫助我們每天信靠基督已經完成的救贖，活在祢赦免和恩典之中。
求祢賜給我們敬畏的心，幫助我們尊重祢話語所設立的界線。讓我們不只是口裏稱祢為主，也在每天的選擇中順服祢，把祢所賜的時間、能力、財物和整個生命分別出來，為祢所用。主啊，求祢重新點燃我們裏面的燈。使我們不只是一時火熱，而是在平凡的日子、困難的環境和漫長的等待中，仍然忠心地親近祢、信靠祢、順服祢。願我們一生持續活在祢的同在中，使生命的燈常常在祢面前點着，也在這個世代中為祢發光。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Theme Scripture
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.” —Exodus 27:20, NKJV
As we continue reading Exodus chapters 26 and 27, we repeatedly see the words, “You shall.” You shall make the altar. You shall make the court. You shall set up the pillars. You shall prepare the entrance. You shall also bring pure olive oil so that the lamp may continue to burn.
These commands do not mean that the Israelites had to earn God’s grace through their actions.
Before God asked them to build the tabernacle, He had already rescued them from Egypt. He had brought them through the Red Sea, provided for them in the wilderness, and made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai.
God’s grace always comes before our response.
The Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years. For a long period, they were slaves under Pharaoh. They could not save themselves. God Himself brought them out of bondage.
When they left Egypt, God caused the Egyptians to give them silver, gold, and clothing. Later, when God instructed them to build the tabernacle, they learned to set apart what God had given them and use it to build His dwelling place.
However, Exodus 27 is not mainly about giving building materials.
The tabernacle was a visible sign that God desired to dwell among His people. Exodus 27 teaches them how sinful people could approach a holy God and how they could continue living in His presence.
This is also something we need to learn today.
We may have experienced God before. We may once have been passionate about Him. But when life becomes busy, circumstances become difficult, or our prayers seem unanswered, our relationship with God can slowly grow cold.
God does not want us to come into His presence only occasionally. He wants us to live continually in His presence.
Through the bronze altar, the boundaries of the tabernacle court, and the olive oil for the lamp, Exodus 27 shows us three important steps for living continually in God’s presence:
Redemption is the foundation. Holiness is our way of life. Faithfulness sustains the relationship.
- Come to the Altar—Trust in the Salvation God Has Provided
“You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar shall be square—and its height shall be three cubits.” —Exodus 27:1, NKJV
Exodus 27 begins with instructions for making the bronze altar.
The altar stood inside the courtyard of the tabernacle. When the Israelites entered the court and came toward God’s dwelling place, they encountered the altar.
The altar reminded them that God is holy, but humanity is sinful. People cannot come to God through their own goodness or approach Him in whatever way they choose.
Yet God did not reject them.
God established the sacrificial system. An animal was offered in the sinner’s place so that sin could be covered and the person could draw near to God again.
Therefore, the altar first reveals not what people offer to God, but the salvation God provides for them.
In the unfolding message of the whole Bible, the sacrifices offered on the altar point us to Jesus Christ. He became the Lamb of God. He carried our sins and offered Himself once for all, completing the work of salvation for us.
We can come into God’s presence today, not because we have behaved well, prayed long enough, or served faithfully enough. We can come because Jesus has already paid the price for our sins.
When we fail, become weak, or fall into sin, we may become afraid to approach God. We may think we must first repair ourselves before God will accept us.
But the altar teaches us something different.
We do not make ourselves good enough before returning to God. We honestly confess our sins and weaknesses, trust in the salvation He has provided, and return to Him.
This does not mean that we can treat sin lightly. The altar also shows us that sin has a real and terrible cost. When we understand the price Christ paid for us, we should no longer continue carelessly in sin. We should respond to Him with gratitude and reverence.
Living continually in God’s presence does not mean that we need to be saved again every day. It means that every day we continue to trust in the salvation Christ has already completed.
We stop trusting in our own performance, and we refuse to run away from God when we fail.
- Respect the Boundaries—Live According to God’s Way
“You shall also make the court of the tabernacle. For the south side there shall be hangings for the court made of fine woven linen.” —Exodus 27:9, NKJV
Verses 9 to 19 give detailed instructions about the dimensions, curtains, pillars, bronze sockets, and entrance of the tabernacle court.
Why did God give such detailed instructions?
The tabernacle was not to be built according to human preference. It had to be built according to the pattern God had revealed.
The curtains around the court created a clear boundary. They separated God’s dwelling place from the surrounding camp. This showed the Israelites that God’s presence is holy and must not be treated casually.
However, the court was not completely closed.
God provided an entrance on the eastern side so that the people could enter the court and come to the altar with their sacrifices.
The boundary and the entrance reveal both God’s holiness and His grace.
God’s holiness establishes the boundary, but God’s grace provides the entrance.
People cannot approach God according to their own ideas, but they can come through the way God has provided.
The Israelites could not claim to be God’s people while continuing to live according to the values and ways of Egypt. Since God had redeemed them and set them apart, they had to learn to respect His boundaries and live according to His Word.
In the same way, drawing near to God is not only about seeking a comforting spiritual feeling. Neither is it only about asking God to solve our problems.
To live in God’s presence means that we acknowledge His authority over every part of our lives.
God’s Word establishes boundaries for us.
When we are tempted to protect ourselves with a lie, God calls us to choose honesty.
When someone hurts us, God calls us to release bitterness and learn to forgive.
When we use our money, God calls us to manage it faithfully and honour Him.
When we face an important decision, God calls us to seek His will before following our own desires.
Even the materials used to build the court had first been provided by God. The Israelites were setting apart for God what had originally come from Him.
This reminds us that our time, abilities, money, family, work, and opportunities have all been placed in our hands by God.
God does not merely want us to give Him one small part of our lives. He wants us to recognise that our entire lives belong to Him.
To approach God according to His way means that we do not limit our faith to worship services and prayer meetings. We honour His holiness in our daily choices and allow Him to be Lord over our lives.
- Keep the Lamp Burning—Maintain Your Relationship with God Every Day
“In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.” —Exodus 27:21, NKJV
Exodus 27 ends with instructions concerning the olive oil for the lampstand.
A lamp does not continue burning simply because it was once lit.
For the lamp to burn according to God’s command, the Israelites had to bring pure oil from pressed olives. Aaron and his sons also had to tend the lamp before the Lord from evening until morning.
The people faithfully supplied the oil, and the priests faithfully tended the lamp. This was not a one-time activity. It was a lasting command to be observed throughout their generations.
God is not looking only for temporary passion. He desires continuing faithfulness.
Our spiritual lives can also become like a lamp whose flame is growing weak.
Perhaps we were once hungry for God. We prayed, read His Word, and served Him with passion. But as life became busier, or as we experienced disappointment and tiredness, we gradually spent less time with God.
We might continue serving outwardly while the flame within us becomes weaker.
One prayer, one moment of inspiration, or one powerful spiritual experience cannot replace a daily walk with God.
Verse 20 specifically mentions “pure oil of pressed olives.” The original emphasis is that the people had to prepare suitable, pure oil, while the priests had to tend the lamp faithfully.
When we apply this truth to our lives, it reminds us that maintaining our relationship with God also requires time, faithfulness, and intentional choices.
When we wake up in the morning, we can immediately reach for our phones, or we can first become quiet before God.
When we face difficulties, we can depend only on our own methods, or we can first seek God.
When we are hurt, we can allow bitterness to grow, or we can bring our pain before God and allow Him to heal us.
Keeping the lamp burning does not mean that we will experience strong emotions every day.
It means that even when we do not feel anything special, we still choose to pray.
Even when our circumstances have not changed, we still choose to trust God.
Even when we are tired, we still turn our hearts toward Him.
A lasting spiritual life does not mean that we always remain on a spiritual mountaintop. It means that even in ordinary days, we remain faithful in drawing near to God.
We cannot depend only on yesterday’s relationship with God or live only on memories of how passionate we once were.
What matters is this: Are we still willing to come before God today? Are we still willing to listen to His Word? Are we still willing to obey Him?
God does not only want us to have been on fire for Him in the past. He wants us to keep the lamp burning so that our lives continue to shine before Him.
Conclusion
Exodus 27 is not merely a record of how the tabernacle and its furnishings were made. It teaches God’s people how to approach Him and how to live continually in His presence.
The altar reminds us that redemption is the foundation. We do not depend on our own performance. We trust in the salvation God has completed through Jesus Christ.
The boundaries of the court remind us that holiness is our way of life. Those who have received grace should not continue living according to their own desires. We honour God’s Word and allow Him to be Lord over our lives.
The continuing supply of olive oil reminds us that faithfulness sustains the relationship. We cannot depend only on past experiences and emotions. We must faithfully draw near to God every day and keep the lamp of our spiritual lives burning.
God first redeems us, and then He calls us to respond.
God first opens the way, and then He calls us to live a holy life.
God first lights the flame, and then He calls us to keep it burning faithfully.
Living continually in God’s presence is not simply completing a religious routine every day. It means trusting in Christ’s completed salvation, living according to God’s Word, and faithfully maintaining our relationship with Him through all the ordinary days of life.
God does not want us merely to visit His presence occasionally. He wants us to live in His presence throughout our lives.
Reflection
- Have I been avoiding God because of my failures and weaknesses, forgetting that Jesus has already provided the way for me to return to the Father?
- Is my faith limited to worship services and prayer meetings, or am I willing to respect God’s boundaries and allow Him to be Lord in my daily choices?
- Is the lamp of my life burning brightly, becoming weak, or slowly going out? What do I need to restore today so that I can continue drawing near to God?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving us and for providing salvation through Jesus Christ, so that we may come boldly into Your presence.
Lord, forgive us for depending so often on our own performance. When we fail, we run away from You. When life is going well, we easily forget You.
Help us to trust every day in the salvation Christ has already completed and to live in Your forgiveness and grace.
Give us a heart that reveres You. Help us to respect the boundaries established by Your Word. May we not only call You “Lord” with our lips, but also obey You in our daily choices.
Teach us to set apart for You the time, abilities, money, and entire lives that You have given us.
Lord, please rekindle the flame within us.
Do not let our passion last for only a short time. In ordinary days, difficult circumstances, and long seasons of waiting, help us to continue drawing near to You, trusting You, and obeying You faithfully.
May we live continually in Your presence throughout our lives. May the lamps of our lives keep burning before You and shine for You in this generation.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.
Leave a comment