Leviticus 24:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Every Sabbath, these shall be presented before the Lord by the Israelites; it is a perpetual covenant. These loaves belong to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat them in a holy place, for this is an exceedingly holy act regarding the offerings made to the Lord. This statute is everlasting. Therefore, pure oil is essential, specifically oil from olives, rather than from foreign seeds, which may yield a spurious oil. The light must always be pure and entirely untainted in the churches, symbolizing the light bestowed through Christ via the Spirit, proclaimed by the mouths of the saints. Christ affirmed this when He said, "You are the light of the world." (Matt. 5:14). There is no wonder in this, for those whom He deems brothers and makes partakers of His divinity are naturally endowed with the honor of His own merits.

Thus, the lampstand is lit, with dual significance. In the inner sanctuary, seven lamps are kindled in the morning, providing ample light for all who enter. The lampstand symbolizes Christ, radiating abundant light for those yearning to access the holy of holies; as it is said, "You shall come to Him and be illuminated." The lighting of the lamps at dawn may symbolize the time of the Incarnation when He illuminated the world, dispelling the darkness of ancient ignorance that shrouded all hearts. The prophet also alluded to the Savior's arrival, entreating, "Early shall you hear my voice; I will stand before you and wait" (Psalms 5:4). For when did the prayers of the faithful become acceptable? How could those who strayed previously approach God with a spiritual affinity and obedience of faith unless the light from Heaven—Christ—lit their way? Thus, the inner sanctuary was filled with the abundant and pure light of the seven lampstands, while the first tabernacle showcased the lampstand, signifying that even the children of the law were not devoid of God's light. The law granted by Moses redirected the ancients from polytheism to the true knowledge of God, guiding them away from the worship of created things to the worship of the Creator. This transition was accompanied by illumination in the hearts of the people. Hence, the light bestowed by Christ to those entering the Holy of Holies is immense and profound, yet diminished for those bound by the law. The reality is evident: the shadow cast by the law can never match the spiritual brilliance of the Gospel, which shines universally, while the law was understood only by the descendants of Israel.

Regarding the bread and lampstand in the first tabernacle, the lampstand may represent John the Baptist, and the twelve loaves symbolize the holy Apostles. Cyril explains that the divine Baptist served as a precursor to Christ, embodying that lampstand, of whom God prophesied, "I will establish a lamp for my anointed" (Psalms 132:17). The Savior affirmed this when He spoke of him to the Jewish leaders, saying, "He was a burning and shining lamp; you were willing to rejoice for a time in his light" (John 5:35). Paul, well-versed in the law, reminisces about the lampstand in the first tabernacle, affirming that it should burn continually. The Jews initially rejoiced in John's baptism and were amazed at his message, yet ultimately put him to death as if extinguishing a light that had always shone bright. Although this outrage is often attributed to Herod, he too was of Israel's lineage. Hence, Christ charged the Jewish people with a stubbornness against every prophet, stating, "It is not that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem" (Luke 13:33).

Cyril further asserts that the divine Baptist served as a light to those governed by the law in Judea, mirroring Christ. While Christ is the true Bread from Heaven, life-giving by nature, the holy disciples participate in this divine reality and are likened to bread, nourishing piety and imparting the words of life, dispelling ignorance from believers’ souls. The twelve loaves correspond to the twelve disciples, arranged in two rows of six, encircling the one heavenly Bread—Christ Himself. Each loaf contains two measures, denoting spiritual completeness. Thus, the divine disciples stand perfect in all good things, meritorious in both action and word. Additionally, the loaves are seasoned with Lebanon and salt, where Lebanon signifies the fragrance of Christ's incense, and salt represents wisdom, as the saints' words are filled with grace, not folly—as the Scriptures say, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6), and "Grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4:29). Moreover, Christ stated, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). The bread is offered on the Sabbath, marking the day of Christ’s coming—the mental Sabbath that the Israelites failed to recognize. Thus, Paul remarks, "There remains, therefore, a Sabbath rest for the people of God" (Heb. 4:9); they could not attain His rest without having faith in Him. Therefore, the time of our Savior's coming signifies the true Sabbath.

The offering of loaves is highlighted before God and the Israelites as it is commanded that they be presented weekly. This is before the Lord, as He constantly observes and blesses the saints. The Lord's gaze rests upon the righteous (Psalms 33:16); it is also before Israel, beckoning them to contemplate and engage their understanding. "They shall belong to Aaron and his sons who will eat them" (Lev. 24:9), representing how the writings of the holy Apostles are appointed for our encouragement as justified by faith—an anointed and sacred lineage, renewed through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Palladius inquires about the absence of images of the holy Baptist and Apostles in the Holy of Holies, questioning why they reside only in the first tabernacle. Cyril clarifies that a distinct separation exists; what pertains to the divine cannot be placed among the saints. Thus, their rightful place is in the first tabernacle, where the altar of offerings was found. Considering they were Jews, the holy disciples align with the ministry of the law. Palladius concurs. Cyril concludes by referencing the apostle Paul, who elucidates the functions of the first and second tabernacles, noting: "In this arrangement, the first tabernacle is always entered by the priests for divine service; but in the second tabernacle, only once a year does the high priest enter, bearing blood for himself and for the people's transgressions. The Holy Spirit signifies that the way into the sanctuary was not yet disclosed while the first tabernacle remained in use. It serves as a representation of the present age, during which gifts and sacrifices are made that cannot perfect the conscience of the one offering them. These are associated with physical ordinances instituted until the time of reformation. But Christ, the High Priest of the good things that will come, arrived with a greater and more perfect tabernacle—one not made by human hands and not formed from the earthly arrangement. He entered, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, achieving eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:6-12).

You now understand that in the first tabernacle, the priests conducted their ministry without entering the Holy of Holies; this reflects the service of the law, which only cast shadows. These rituals offered no true cleansing from sin, as Paul emphasized, for they lacked the power to purify the conscience (Heb. 9:9); they were to be observed only until the time of correction—the Incarnation of the Only-begotten—when the shadow of types was fulfilled in the truth. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). Paul clarifies that when sacrifices prescribed by the law were found unpleasing to God, He then came to enact the divine will. Through His body’s one offering, we are sanctified; while many priests stand daily to offer sacrifices that can never take away sin, He, after offering one sacrifice, has sat down at the right hand of God, waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one offering, He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified; having died once, He dies no more (Rom. 6:9-10). By offering Himself as a sacrifice, He entered into the Holy of Holies, not merely on earth, but in heaven itself, to intercede for us in the presence of God (Heb. 9:24).