I don’t know about you, but I often spare a thought for the priests when reading these passages.  I mean, they had a messy job!  They had to deal daily with the blood and the carcasses of the sacrificial animals.  They had to know which parts were for the altar and which parts weren’t.  They had to know what to wear and where and when.  Once the sinner had done their part it was really on the priests to ensure the sacrifices were acceptable to God.  So we arrive at today’s passage with yet more criteria for burnt offerings that had to be overseen by the priest, and the key instruction seems to be ‘keep the fire burning’.  It is helpful to remember here that fire had been a sure sign of God’s presence amongst His people at various points.  God revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush, and to his people at Mount Sinai with a burning cloud of fire.  Sometimes when we are so busy trying to get everything right we cannot see God or feel His presence in the midst of it.  However, at the centre of the priest’s obedience and diligence, God, through the fire, was revealing His presence, His nearness and His acceptance of their offering.  Commentator Derek Tidball states that the fire of God can be ‘comforting, warming, refining, purifying and terrifying’ all at once’.  Whatever combination of these the priests felt while the fire continued to burn they recognised that it was the presence of God in the midst of their service.  Pray that God would be the fire in your heart, and that you would know His presence as you seek to serve Him and do His will in your life.