BUILDING THE LAMP STAND
Welcome to our Thursday bible study called COME AS A CHILD. We have arrived at lesson 156, and today we will discuss how God instructed Moses to make the Lamp Stand for the wilderness tabernacle.
God required that the Lamp Stand be made of pure gold.
The base of the Lamp Stand was to be hammered out, and the shaft was to be hammered out.
It was to have flower-like cups, buds and blossoms made of one piece.
Six branches were to extend from the sides of the Lamp Stand – three on one side, and three on the other.
THE BUDS AND BRANCHES
Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were to be on one branch, three on the next branch; and it was to be the same for all six branches extending from the Lamp Stand.
On the Lamp Stand there were to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.
One bud should be under the first pair of branches extending from the Lamp Stand with a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair – six branches in all.
The buds and branches should all be of one piece with the Lamp Stand, hammered out of pure gold.
THE SEVEN LAMPS
Seven lamps were to be made for this Lamp Stand.
These seven lamps were to set upon the Lamp Stand and be used to light the space in front of it.
The wick trimmers and trays were to be made of pure gold.
A talent of pure gold was to be used for the Lamp Stand and all of these accessories.
FOLLOWING GOD’S PATTERN
God instructed Moses to be very careful to make all of this exactly like the pattern that He provided.
Absolutely nothing was to be altered or changed.
Everything was to be done exactly as God had instructed.
SYMBOLISM OF THE LAMP STAND
This beautiful Lamp Stand is very symbolic.
We have so much to learn from this one magnificent piece of furniture that was placed to the left of The Holy Place.
One of the best books I’ve read concerning this sacred Lamp Stand was written by Dr. John D. Garr, Ph.D. His book is titled “God’s Lamp, Man’s Light – Mysteries of the Menorah.” I highly recommend that every person on earth purchase this book and read it.
I have no ties and am not personally affiliated with the author; I am just a witness to the great significance of this Lamp Stand of which he does an extremely amazing and beautiful job of describing.
Dr. Garr’s book goes into greater detail than we could ever do justice in such a short blog article from a weekly bible study. His description is the best description and interpretation of the Lamp Stand I have read; and I have read many.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE MENORAH
There are many mysteries in the scriptures relating to the Menorah of the wilderness tabernacle.
These things are amazing and detailed.
Once again, time will not allow me such detail here; but I recommend that you do some reading of your own from the works of other biblical scholars who do go deeper into this subject.
It is all truly fascinating and deep and we could fill volumes and volumes of books on this subject of the Menorah alone.
That is not my intention today; so this will be a very brief and to the point description of The Lamp Stand, in order for us to go on with our story of Moses in the Exodus.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LAMP STAND
Do understand that the Lamp Stand is very, very significant to the people of God.
Also understand that we will be touching on some more of this subject as we go along in further studies.
For now; this is only an introduction to the things within the wilderness tabernacle. There are pieces of vital information concerning these very important elements of worship scattered all the way through the Holy Scriptures that will come alive to us as we study more and more of God’s word together.
So; in spite of the difficulty of explaining so much truth in such a brief space; we will now attempt to touch on some of the most relevant points of the subject of The Lamp Stand.
The author is humbled to even share this subject; and fears saying too much about such holy things because she knows anything could be misinterpreted if not spoken of with great care. She would rather say too little than add to the truth.
As usual, The IN SEASON Lifestyle community stands in awe of the wonderful way God teaches us through both the sacred objects and ordinary things in life.
THE MYSTERY OF THE MENORAH
So let’s explore the mysteries of the Menorah.
What are the answers to “who,” “what,” “when,” “why,” and “where” regarding this subject?
THE “WHO” OF THE LAMP STAND
The Lamp Stand or the Menorah clearly represents Christ, as The Most High Priest of God.
You can see the importance of the Oneness of the Trinity in the careful design of this Lamp Stand.
Everything is hewn out of one solid piece of gold.
This reminds us of the Oneness of Christ with God the Father. This is what qualifies Him to be The Most High Priest.
SEVEN LAMPS WORKING TOGETHER
There are seven lamps working together to provide the light from the Menorah.
The main piece providing light in the middle of the Menorah (The Lamp Stand) represents Christ, This part holds and offers the greatest light.
All of the other light is made possible through the oil that originally flows from the center of this one great light.
Six other lamps are fed by the oil of olive leaves that pour out into and flow from the center of the Lamp Stand.
These six lamps represent those who follow Christ.
There are three on one side and three on the other side.
Could these two sides represent the Old Testament and the New Testament Christians?
The number six is always representative of the humanity of mankind.
WE ARE THE BRANCHES
When we think of the six branches connecting to the Lamp Stand from the center, we are reminded of the words of Christ when He told us in John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
The rest of Christ’s words in this passage clearly emphasize His place as our Most High Priest, standing ever before the Throne of God to make intercession for our souls.
He said “If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
CHRIST IS THE VINE
Without the Lamp Stand in the center, the branches of the Menorah would have been totally useless. They can only bear light out into the darkness if they are connected to the center of the Lamp.
This reminds us of how Christ makes us complete.
If you add 1 to 6 you get the number seven; the total number of the lights.
Without the One the other six would not be complete and could not function properly.
THE COMPLETED PATTERN
The number seven always stands for completeness.
God completed the six days of creation with the seventh day – and this was the most holy part of the creation week.
Also; God completed the creation of mankind by sending His beloved Son to live as one of us; and that is what makes our lives sacred and holy.
Because of the seventh light, the other six are useful to the work of The Kingdom of God. (Christ working through His Church)
THE PROVISION OF LIGHT
It was the Most High Priest who could go into The Holy of Holies and come before the Presence of God who rested over the Mercy Seat of the Ark in The Wilderness Tabernacle.
The Lamp Stand provided the light to see the way into this area.
Without Christ, this would not be possible for anyone.
If a man entered improperly; he would die.
So it is with our souls.
We must be covered with Christ before entering before the Throne of God.
THE OIL REPRESENTS GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT
The oil for the branches comes from the oil that flows from the center (Christ) and this makes up the oil of the Lamp Stand which represents the presence of The Holy Spirit.
All of the other lights receive the oil which makes their lights burn from the center of the Lamp Stand. This is symbolic of the fact that without the foundation of Christ in our lives; we have no access to God’s Holy Spirit.
Our connection to the three-fold Godhead of the One True God comes from God the Son through the oil of The Holy Spirit who flows and connects us with God The Father.
They are three; but One.
The flow from the center oil is what unites God with His people.
The six branches and/or lights; the ones on each side of the center light, stand for those who have followed and have been associated with Christ throughout the ages (The True Church), or in other words, this section of the lamp stands for how God’s people are connected to God through Christ as The Most High Priest of God.
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Jesus is the One who IS the Lamp Stand in the center of the Menorah, and the whole lamp works together within its stand to shine out God’s glory to illuminate the darkness.
As each individual light shines out together with the others through the oil from the largest light in the center; they have stories to tell; stories that bring glory to God The Father.
You must distinguish The Lamp Stand from the whole Menorah.
The Lamp Stand is the center that holds everything together (Christ) and there are branches on the sides (God’s People) holding lamps that hold oil (God’s Holy Spirit flowing from Christ in the center.)
All of the Menorah connected to the Lamp Stand represents and symbolizes God’s Kingdom at work together with Jesus acting as The Most High Priest. We have The Holy Spirit flowing from Christ and indwelling the people who should be living like lamps that are not hidden; shinning their light out into the world. They are held up to do their work from the Lamp Stand foundation.
THE LAMP OF GOD
So you see, this Menorah in the Sanctuary is so much more than a mere functional light fixture in a room.
It is a beautiful yet useful piece of art designed and conceived from God which represents so much more than any human artist could ever portray.
The ancient Israelites actually called the light from the Menorah “ner Elohim” or “The Lamp of God.”
Can you see how “The Lamp of God” would be Jesus Christ acting as our Most High Priest?
DAVID’S PERCEPTION OF THE LIGHT
King David identified with this “Lamp of God” in the psalms that he sang, using the words; “He wraps Himself in light as with a garment.” David was speaking of the beautiful illustration of God through Christ that we see represented in the Menorah. (Psalm 104:2) .
It was also David who spoke of The Lamp of God being “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” He was speaking of this Lamp Stand that connects to the lamps of the Menorah in the Tabernacle.
Christ being “The Word Of God” represents Torah as well as representing the role of our Most High Priest.
He IS the Living Word of God.
His words are direction for our souls.
David received instruction for life from the Holy Scriptures in Torah. Even before the Messiah had come David knew these words contained The Words of Life.
THE PATHWAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE
No matter how dark the human condition becomes; just one ray of light from this “Lamp of God” is said to dispel the darkness and bring clarity and purpose into our world. This marvelous Lamp Stand is said to mark the pathway to The Tree of Life. (Isa. 35:8)
We know that Jesus Christ is “the way.”
The Glory of God is fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
Jesus became known as “The Light Of The World.” Through this light, in the living, dying, rising and giving of His life; mankind has been illuminated and brought into the Divine Presence of God.
John 8:12 speaks of this: “I am the light of the world. He that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
The significance of this Lamp Stand of God started at the very moment of creation when the voice of God said; “Let there be Light.”
Light came into the nothingness of total darkness and the universe began with glorious light; seen for the first time ever.
Many see the significance of the six branches and their lamps representing the first six days of creation and the seventh, the middle branch (the Lamp Stand) being representative of the seventh day; the Sabbath.
As the universe was born into light and time went on, light became equated with knowledge and wisdom.
The Light of God shone from the Lamp Stand and gave meaning to the whole universe and everything that made up life.
So be sure to pay particular attention to the “who” of this mystery.
It is Christ, our Creator, Our Savior, Our Beloved, Our Most High Priest.
THE “WHAT” OF THE LAMP
STAND
Way before Jesus came to earth in the form of a man, his presence was there before the Glory of God in the tabernacle in the wilderness.
He was showing types and shadows of what was to come later to provide a way for man and God to be together forever.
It seems The Lamp Stand’s primary purpose was to connect mankind with God, then help them to shine God’s light out into the universe.
This giving of “light” and illumination was achieved through the pouring of the oil into the lamps causing a holy fire that illumined the way to the Tree of Life.
Christ has made this possible.
Through Him, all believers have The Holy Spirit living inside of them.
It is through Him and those living in Him that a light has come into the darkness and the darkness has been overcome.
A SACRED TREE-SHAPED, LIGHTED TOOL FOR USE IN WORSHIP
Notice how the Menorah is tree-shaped.
This is not coincidence.
The shape of the Menorah with the branches coming from the central stem is clearly patterned after a tree.
It was clear to the Israelites that the Menorah represented The Tree of Life.
We can see a repeat of this symbolism of a tree from the burning bush.
There is yet another repeat of this “tree” theme in Aaron’s staff, the one that God used in the deliverance from Pharaoh.
It is very obvious that God loves using trees to symbolize His Kingdom. He chose these patterns.
Many such “tree” themes have been perverted by the world; yet the Menorah symbolized the purity of the Tree of Life and all of the holiness contained in it.
A TREE THAT GOD CHOSE TO DECORATE
The LORD chose to decorate the Menorah with almond cups from the almond tree and he used the almond blossoms that are very beautiful to behold.
God is not opposed to decorating symbolic things. He commanded Moses to decorate the Menorah. It is obvious that the Menorah was used as a tool to provoke proper worship.
Most people think that the staff which Aaron used to perform the signs and wonders from God was made from the branch of an almond tree. It is no coincidence or surprise to learn that the almond is one of the most nutritious and healing forms of food available.
RECOGNIZING RESURRECTION TO NEW LIFE
In a later article we will study a time in the wilderness when Aaron’s staff budded and then produced flowers and almonds overnight.
We now realize this was symbolic of the power of the Resurrection of Christ, and this is symbolized in the design of this sacred Lamp Stand.
UNITING MEN WITH GOD
So we see that the main purpose of the Menorah was to shine God’s light out into the universe so that it could reach and unite men’s souls to God through Christ as the center.
All of these parts of the Menorah together could form the structure of The Kingdom of God and reflect God’s Glory into the world.
For the Israelites this meant becoming a holy nation under God.
They were the shadow of the coming of God’s Kingdom in the hearts and souls of mankind.
THE “WHEN” OF THE LAMP STAND
Now we have seen “who” and we know “what” but we must also ask “when.”
When will the message of God’s Lamp Stand be most significant?
There are many time periods in history where the Lamp Stand is extremely significant. The Lamp Stand has a history from the past, plus a significance for today’s world. The Book of Revelation proclaims the Lamp Stand will be used by God again in the future.
For Israel and all of the people living in the Old Testament days, The Lamp Stand representing the Most High Priest represented the promise of a coming Messiah.
For us on the other side of the cross; it represents the Second Coming of Christ.
All of this light points to a future time where we, through Christ our Savior will obtain the right to eternal life through the blessings of The Tree of Life.
LIGHT THAT REVEALS THE TREE OF LIFE
If you read Revelation 22:14 you will hear “they who do His commandments have a right to the tree of life.”
The Menorah becomes most significant to us when we are following the commandments, and when we come to the time of the revealing of The Tree of Life. Those who have followed the commandments, or have been given mercy from their sins and have turned to living out the commandments because of Christ; will be allowed to taste of The Tree of Life.
Tasting from The Tree of Life brings eternal life.
Thus; this “when” will be an eternal “when.”
THE “WHY” OF THE LAMP STAND
Now we know the “who,” and the “what” and the “when;” and we seek the answers to the “why.”
Why did God chose to place the Lamp Stand inside The Holy Place in the wilderness tabernacle; and why is everything about the Menorah so significant?
Well; if the Menorah stands for Christ, and the reflection of the light of God is united and living from within the souls of mankind who have Jesus Christ living within their hearts; what could possibly matter more?
Is there even more truths that we should recognize?
The blending of the tree motif and the fire in the design of the Menorah is very significant in that it is the Light of God, that eternal fire from the burning bush that Moses first saw that connects these two together – the divine and the human.
CONNECTING THE DIVINE AND HUMANITY
Do the flames coming from the lamps not remind you of the flames of fire from the Day of Pentecost?
At Pentecost The Holy Spirit draws us closer to God.
The burning bush drew the human man, Moses, to the divine being; God.
This was the beginning of the connection that God wished to make with those He loves.
God does not desire to see our sin when He looks upon us; He desires to see our goodness.
The light of the Menorah reveals all things.
God sees us in this light for who we are; unless we are covered in the blood of Jesus.
If God sees this covering in the pure, clean, light of the Menorah, He will only see the evidence of His most Beloved Son, our Most High Priest and Holy Intercessor.
God will then love and cherish us because He loves and cherishes the Son who died for us.
A TRUE REVEALING LIGHT
One reason for the light of the Menorah is that the light of the Menorah reveals who we really are.
God either sees us standing in Christ, or He sees us standing in our sins.
The light of Christ reveals everything that is true.
This is one reason why the Menorah is so very significant.
There are many, many more reasons as to “why” God chose to place this Lamp Stand in the wilderness tabernacle; but, the biggest reason is that it shadows the role of Christ as our Most High Priest.
Where?
We have answered the questions of “who,” “what,” “when,” and “why;” now we must answer the question of “where.”
It is significant to notice where the Menorah is placed.
It is strategically placed where the light will shine in the most needed areas so that those who are working in the tabernacle can find their way around and see what is most important to their mission.
It is there to dispel the darkness.
God gives us His light so that we can give Him the Glory.
His light shows us the way to all that we need to know.
WHERE IS THE ORIGINAL LAMP STAND NOW?
At this point one might ask where the original Lamp Stand now resides?
That is a good question.
No one knows the answer to where the actual, physical golden Lamp Stand is at this present moment.
We can only know the answer to where the One it represents stands.
He is at the right hand of God in Heaven, ever interceding for our souls before God the Father.
Christ is receiving our prayers and answering our prayers through The Holy Spirit; giving light to our days and forever shinning hope into our hearts.