Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Golden Lampstand Provided Light

 
The High Priest Kept the Lamp Burning
 
 
Our Bible Study teacher was digging deeper into the Meanings and how The Golden Lampstand relates to us in our day.  I took notes and present a digested message.
Exodus 37:17 reveals the Pure Golden Lampstand, in the tabernacle which provided light for the Holy Place.  It also speaks of symbolism and is a picture of Christ Jesus our Eternal Light, and of us as the burning lights to the world. 
 
The Holy Spirit is the oil that keep us burning and Jesus is the High Priest who trims the wicks (those things that smudge our testimony) so our light is kept bright.
While all the elements inside the tabernacle tent were made of gold, the lampstand alone was constructed of solid gold.  The gold for this sacred furniture was given to the Israelites by the Egyptians, when the Jews fled Egypt (Exodus 12:35).

God told Moses to make the lampstand from one piece, hammering in its details.  No dimensions are given for this object, but its total weight was one talent, or about 75 pounds of solid gold. The lampstand had a center column with six branches extending from it on each side.  These arms resembled the branches of an almond tree, with ornamental knobs, ending in a crafted flower at the top.

Although this object is sometimes referred to as a candlestick, it was actually an oil lamp.  Each of the flower-shaped cups held a measure of olive oil and a flax or linen wick, its wick became saturated with oil, was lit, and gave off a small flame.   Aaron and his sons, the designated priests, were to keep the lamps burning continually.

Because this Holy Place had no windows, the lampstand was the only source of light.
 
Zechariah 3:8  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.   This was a prophesy about God sending forth the Messiah. 
 
The Prophet Zechariah saw an angel. Zechariah 3:4  So the angel continued to tell those who were standing in his presence, "Remove his filthy clothes." And he told Joshua, "Look how I've removed your iniquity. Now I'm clothing you with fine garments."
 
As we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord, He removes our sin and gives us rest.
This is a supernatural inward change in our hearts and it is entirely from God our Father; not of works should we boast.
 
Zechariah 4:6 Then the angel answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the LORD, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts.

The Holy Spirit gently convicts us as He searches our inward heart.
Proverbs 20:27  The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Revelations chapter 4:5 And from the throne proceeded lightning, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (God's attributes are revealed truths of who he is and are shown in scripture through his words and actions.)

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they might see your good works and glorify our father which is in heaven.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Love the parallels. Nothing is by chance, but by supernatural Divine design.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Beautiful analogies to our walk with the Lord :)

caryjo said...

You grabbed me! I've been an Exodus reader/lover... and Zechariah and Revelation. Always grabs my attention and my heart! Focusing on them and how they came to the Lord! All I can handle consistently! Thank you MUCH!!!