THE TABERNACLE: THE LAMPSTAND—-Exodus 25:31-40; 27-21; Leviticus 24:1-4
A better translation than "candlestick" is "lampstand", as used in this lesson.
1. THE LAMPSTAND
GOLD WAS ITS ONLY MATERIAL Exodus 25:31. As gold symbolizes deity, the lampstand must typify a divine Person. As the gold was “beaten work”, the person referred to is Christ Isaiah 53:4-10;I Peter 2:24.
BRANCHES REACHED OUTWARD Exodus 25:32. The shaft or central stem was straight upward; the six branches curved outward and upward. They suggest the Spirit-filled Christ described in Isiah 11:1-2 & Revelation 4:5. The branches may also typify believers, joined to Christ, part of Him (John 15:5; I Corinthians 12:1-2), now shining for Him (Ephesians 5:8; I Peter 2:9.)
BUDS, FLOWERS< AND FRUIT Exodus 25:33-35. The “bowls” resembling almonds, the “knobs” like buds, and the flowers, all gave the lampstand the appearance of a tree with all its forms of life. Compare numbers 17:8. The resurrection, living Christ is our light. II Corinthians 4:6. We should also give evidence of our life. Romans 6;22.
2. THE OIL
Oil is a symbol of the Spirit of God. This is seen in Luke 4;18 “the Spirit…on me for He has annointed Me.”
ITS SUFFICIENT Leviticus 24:2 “to cause the lamps to burn continually.” John 3:34 “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.” I Corinthians 2:12 “we have receiced…the Spirit of God”. Ephesians 5:8 “Be filled with the Spirit.”
ITS QUALITY: IT WAS PURE. Leviticus 24:2 “bring unto thee pure oil.” The Spirit of God is called the Holy Spirit.
3 THE LIGHT
No natural light was in the holy place. The light of this world cannot illumine the things of God; they are seen only by the light of Christ. Ephesians 4:8; I Cor. 2:14-15; “are spiritually discerned.” John 8:12 “I am the light…the light of life” Revelation 21:23 ‘The Lamb is the light (lamp) thereof” (heaven).
THE LIGHT FELL UPON THE TABLE (fellowship) Ex. 40:24-25 “over against the table…lighted the lamp I John 1:7 “if we…in the light…we have fellowship.”
THE LIGHT FELL UPON THE ALTAR (worship) Ex. 30:7-8 “lighteth the lamps…burn incense;” no incense could be offered in the darkness. John 4:14 “must worship Him in Sporit and truth.”
THE LIGHT FELL BACK UPON THE LAMPSTAND ITSELF. Ex. 25:37; Numbers 8:2-3 “light over against the candlestick”; John 16:7,14,15 The Spirit reveals Christ himself.
