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.