v1: Most chapters in the book begin in the same way, "the Lord said to Moses". These are the instructions, from God for His people. They are commandments not suggestions. They are to be obeyed not debated.

v2-4: The light in the tabernacle came solely from the lamps; the light for this dark world is from the followers of God (Matt 5.14; Phil 2.15).

The lamps had to be kept burning continually, and were dependent upon pure oil for this; we should be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5.18), not driven by the flesh.

The oil was made of pressed olives (or beaten; see Ex 27.20; or crushed; see Ex 22.24); this points us to Christ, and to His suffering, which is the route of fruitfulness. Indeed, Gethsemane means olive press.

The lamps were to be tended continually, just as we are to be thoughtful in our lives, 1 Tim 4.16.

v5-9: The Shewbread; twelve loaves of bread, placed on the table in the Tabernacle.

v8: The Bread was to be set in order every Sabbath, see Matt 12.5. The grain itself was provided by the people, bringing their grain offering (ch 2). The unleavened bread pictures the perfect life of Christ, a sweet aroma to God. The Bread was always before God, just as Christ is constantly in the presence of God, interceding on our behalf (Heb 9.24), and we are accepted in Him.

v9: The bread was food for the priests; feeding on Christ, the bread from Heaven (John 6.57). There is a need for all who are joined to Christ (Levi) to feed regularly on Christ.

v10-12: A real incident, to which the law had to be applied. It is important that we fit our lives and doctrine and practice around the Word of God, not vice versa.

v13-16: The law was applied,

• to teach that blasphemy is serious;
• to teach that sin brings guilt;
• to teach that God means what He says;
• to teach the people their responsibility in giving witness against another (there had to be more than one witness for a death penalty);
• to teach the people their responsibility to punish a wrong doer.

v17-20: In the context of applying the law, the well known quote is made, " eye for eye"; this indicates a responsibility as in v13-16, but also a limit on the punishment, to reflect the seriousness of the crime. The contract is with other cultures, who punished crimes with unnecessary severity and cruelty.

As he has done, so shall it be done to him, v19; Matt 7.12.

v23: The sentence was carried out; the punishment, and the deterrent.