The Light

DEVOTION

EXODUS

THE LIGHT

Ex 25:31-40

31 "Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand — three on one side and three on the other. 33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 35 One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair — six branches in all. 36 The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. 37 "Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. 39 A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

NIV

There are so many different visual representations of this lampstand, or candlestick, it is fairly easy to get a rather good idea as to how it looks. The fact is that after the overthrow of Jerusalem in 70AD many of the golden articles in the temple were taken off to Rome and Titus had carvings done of his conquest and of the articles taken. So there is, at least, a sculpture’s representation of this lampstand still in existence today. That may be how so many Jews have made duplicates, although from the description God gave here it would be easy enough to make another one much like the this first one. The one difference is this one was made of seventy-five pounds of pure gold. That would also give us a clue to as how big it would be. Although the exact size of each bud and blossom is not told so as to how much weight each of those took up, would alter the whole overall size. Nevertheless the purpose of the lampstand is the subject rather than the actual way it looked or its size. However there are seven candle holders in all and that is a significate number throughout the scriptures. Still when we consider the interior of the tabernacle which was covered with several layers of skins, it would have been extremely dark inside expect for the light given by the seven candles of the pure gold lampstand. A light in the darkness. Again was this God showing the people that Jesus was the light of the world? This seven is used by Jesus in his revelation to John. The seven angels, the seven stars in his right hand, the seven golden lampstands in his left, and the seven churches. So much about seven, yet it is truly about Jesus being the light in the darkness.

John 1:1-9

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light , so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light ; he came only as a witness to the light . 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  

NIV

Is there any question this lampstand represented the light in the darkness, the light of men, Jesus? It is so clear, so plain to see God was all about showing them they needed the light if they were going to meet with God. Although Jesus is the true light of men and he is the only one who can shine into the darkness to give us light, so we can see the path out of the darkness in our lives, and come into his light, there is more. If we have Jesus living within us, if Jesus is, in fact, our life, then we are that light to the world.

Matt 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

NIV

We have become that golden lampstand giving light in the darkness. We cannot hide our light in the church building or simply having fellowship with others who are the light. No, we have to go out in the darkness and shine our light so men can see God, so they can see the path to him. Someone shined their light into our lives and we need to do that which was done for us. We are his tabernacle and he has placed the light within us so we can see and give light to the whole house, the whole of mankind. Let us be that light.