Leviticus 1:7

Put fire upon the altar. At a designated place upon the altar of burnt offering a fire was always burning. It was the duty of the priests to make sure that this fire never went out. Because God Himself had kindled it, it was considered sacred fire. This fire must not be put to common use, nor must common fire be used in any sanctuary service. From this central fire on the altar, the priests lighted other fires to accommodate such sacrifices as might be brought. Thus several fires were burning at the altar at one time, all lighted from the one central fire. It was from this altar that the priests took coals for their censers when they went in to offer incense in the holy place. The fire on the altar of incense came from the altar of burnt offering. It is interesting to note that in heaven there is an angel who has charge of the fire (Rev. 14:18).

Lay the wood in order. The wood used in the sanctuary service was carefully inspected before it was permitted to come on the altar. Wood that had been attacked by insects or eaten by worms was rejected. It was the work of certain of the priests to provide and care for the wood, and once a year the people were asked to help gather fuel for the sanctuary. This must in itself have been educational for them; for as they gathered the wood and examined it to see that it would pass the inspection of the priests, they must have been impressed with God’s holiness and His demand for perfection even in small matters.

The wood was not thrown on the fire, nor casually put on. It was carefully placed “in order.” The lesson is evident. Nothing that has to do with God’s service may be done in a slipshod manner. All must be done with care and reverence.