Exodus 37:17 – 24 “Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand.
And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. A bud was under the first pair of branches that extended from the lampstand, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair. The buds and branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold. He made the lampstand and all its utensils from a talent of pure gold. (A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold.)
Once you realize the size of this lampstand, you realize that this lamp was absolutely enormous. Seventy – five pounds of gold will make a huge lampstand. This lamp was used to light the inside of the Holy place, being located across from the Table of Showbread.
Why was this lampstand made from gold? Jack Zavada provides us with the answer. (Zavada, Jack. “Symbolism Behind the Golden Lampstand of the Wilderness Tabernacle.” Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2021, learnreligions.com/golden-lampstand-of-the-tabernacle-700108.)
“In the courtyard outside the tabernacle tent, all items were made of common bronze, but inside the tent, close to God, they were precious gold, symbolizing deity and holiness. God chose the resemblance of the lampstand to almond branches for a reason. The almond tree blooms very early in the Middle East, in late January or February. Its Hebrew root word, shaked, means “to hasten,” telling the Israelites that God is quick to fulfill his promises.
Aaron’s staff, which was a piece of almond wood, miraculously budded, bloomed, and produced almonds, indicating that God chose him as high priest. (Numbers 17:8) That rod was later put inside the ark of the covenant, which was kept in the tabernacle holy of holies, as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to his people. The golden lampstand, made in the shape of a tree, stood for God’s life-giving power. It echoed the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). God gave Adam and Eve the tree of life to show that he was their source of life. But when they sinned through disobedience, they were cut off from the tree of life. Even still, God had a plan to reconcile his people and give them new life in his Son, Jesus Christ. That new life is like the almond buds blossoming in springtime. The golden lampstand stood as a permanent reminder that God is the giver of all life. Like all the other tabernacle furniture, the golden lampstand was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the future Messiah. It gave forth light. Jesus told the people: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)
APPLICATION: for years when I read these verses, I thought of this lamp as a cute little thing about 2 feet high sitting on a table – nothing could be further from the truth! Once you look at the weight of gold involved, you realize that this lamp stand was probably at least 6 feet tall. This lampstand was the only source of light for the holy of holies. God never does anything by half measures, and this lampstand is a prime example.
How important is light? For the first several years we lived in our small town in northern Ghana, we did not have electricity. We really missed two things: lights and fans. While we could use kerosene lanterns for light, they were smelly and hot. Later when we did get electricity, we had frequent power outages. Somewhere in our possessions there is a photo of several senior high students studying under our kitchen window, taking advantage of our security lights that we powered with a gasoline generator.
Quoting Kavada again, “Jesus compared his followers to light as well: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)
The question for each of us is this: what kind of light are we shedding to those around us? When people come to us, are we an encouragement or a disappointment? The only way we can possibly have light within us that will shine for others is if we allow Jesus to shine through us.
PRAYER: Father God, please shine the light of Your Son, Jesus, through us so that others will be built up and encouraged. Let us radiate Your Love. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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