Leviticus Chapter 1:7 - The Fire Upon the Altar | Genesis Bible Study
Leviticus 1:7
“And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:” — Leviticus 1:7 KJV
Brief Introduction
Leviticus 1 introduces the burnt offering, one of the principal offerings Israel brought before the LORD. The worshiper brought an acceptable animal, and the priests—the sons of Aaron—were responsible for carrying out the sacrifice according to God's instructions.
Leviticus 1:7 focuses specifically upon the fire and wood upon the altar. The priests were not permitted to approach worship according to their own imagination; God established an order for His sanctuary.
The fire is especially significant because later God Himself would send fire upon the altar when the priesthood was inaugurated (Leviticus 9:24), and the priests were commanded to keep the altar fire continually burning (Leviticus 6:12–13).
Thus, Leviticus 1:7 introduces more than the mechanics of sacrifice. It points us toward holy worship, priestly responsibility, obedience, sacrifice, and approaching God according to His appointed order.
Leviticus Chapter 1 — The Complete Chapter
Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
Leviticus 1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he
shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Leviticus 1:5 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 1:6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.
Leviticus 1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
Leviticus 1:8 And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Leviticus 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
Leviticus 1:11 And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.
Leviticus 1:12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
Leviticus 1:13 But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Leviticus 1:15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:
Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
(KJV)
Reflection Questions
- Why did God give the priests specific instructions concerning the fire, wood, altar, and sacrifice?
- What does the phrase “lay the wood in order” teach us about God's concern for order in worship?
- Why was fire necessary for the burnt offering?
- How does the responsibility of Aaron's sons demonstrate that priestly ministry required both privilege and obedience?
- What can we learn from the difference between worshiping God according to His instructions and worshiping Him merely according to our preferences?
- Since the entire burnt offering was presented to God, what does it teach us about surrender and wholehearted devotion?
Practical Application
Leviticus 1:7 reminds us that approaching God is holy. The priests could not casually perform their responsibilities around the altar. They were required to follow the order God had established.
For believers today, the animal sacrifices of Leviticus are not something we reproduce. The New Testament directs us to the completed sacrifice of Christ and calls believers to present themselves to God:
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God...” — Romans 12:1
Our worship therefore involves more than singing or attending a gathering. We offer God our lives, obedience, service, time, thoughts, and devotion.
There is also a valuable lesson in the priests' responsibility for the fire. Spiritual devotion should not be treated carelessly. Prayer, studying God's Word, obedience, worship, and fellowship with God require intentional cultivation.
We should ask ourselves:
Am I tending my relationship with God faithfully, or have I allowed the things that once burned strongly in my life to become neglected?
Key Truth
God established the altar, the sacrifice, the priesthood, and the order of worship.
Leviticus 1:7 reminds us that holy worship is not casual or self-designed. The priests were responsible for preparing the altar according to God's command, while the sacrifice was wholly presented to Him.
For believers, the principle remains powerful:
God desires a life placed before Him in wholehearted surrender and obedient worship.
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