EXODUS 25:31-49 LIGHT OF REVELATION The chief builder, Bezaleel, would have looked at the 75 pounds of gold, and with the eyes of an artesian empowered by the Holy Spirit, envisioned the final result of the lampstand before he tapped that gold the first time. Thousands of tapping sounds would have emanated from the place where he labored day after day as from that one piece of metal grew a remarkable lampstand of unique beauty. Sitting on its base and gradually formed, came a center shaft made from the same piece as the six branches that were hammered out. There was no place when anything was joined that would be a potential weak spot that would break off. This lampstand speaks to us of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Light of God. The first words heard on earth came from Him, "Let there be light." Over the camp of Israel during the darkest night was the Light of God's presence. After the Tabernacle was completed the Light of God's presence illuminated the Holy of holies. All of these were types of our Lord Jesus Christ who declared when He came in the flesh, "I Am the Light of the world."
There was no wood in this lampstand. It was made of pure gold inside and out. When the last blow of the hammer was laid on the piece, there was a completed type of Christ in His singular glory having suffered the blows of suffering, and yet in the glory of His deity, giving light to the Word of God (the table of shewbread) to nourish His people, and light to the worship of God (golden altar) as His people are able to see with spiritual understanding how to "worship the Father in Spirit and in truth." The center shaft had a almond shaped bowl holding oil and the six other branches formed off of that shaft had the same kind of bowl on the top of them. There were also buds and flowers on each branch and the center shaft reminding us of the resurrection and knowledge of Christ we get in the sanctuary. The Holy Spirit is the oil in the bowls from which comes the light that is held by the Person of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the light from the center shaft. The spirit of wisdom and the spirit of understanding are the second pair of branches. Next is the spirit of counsel and the spirit of might. Finally, the last two branches represent the spirit of knowledge and the spirit of the fear of the Lord [Isa 11:1-2]. The Lord Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into "all truth" when He ascended into heaven. The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ cannot be separated entirely any more than the Father and Son who "are one."
Meanings associated with the lampstand are first the beaten gold symbolizing the suffering of Christ who is now risen and glorified. He gave His life to give us life and light. The lampstand was inside the Holy Place hidden from the world. He is revealed to a priest who is in the family of God. "That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death" - is knowledge that can come only through the light of the Holy Spirit who reveals Christ to us. The oil in the seven bowls teach us of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ to meet our needs. There is also the teaching of the fact there is light for the believer who may not know what to do and where to go in this dark world. God the Spirit guides us, instructs us and teaches us "in the way which thou shalt go." The seven branches holding perpetually lighted lamps teaches us the Holy Spirit enables to see and enjoy more of Christ when we are in walking in the light. The light from the lampstand on the south side of the Holy Place also illuminated the table of shewbread on the north side. The Spirit reveals the truths of the Word of God to us. Without the light there would be disorder and confusion. The light also made it possible for the priest at the golden altar of incense to properly carry out what was needed for appropriate worship. We can worship God in the way of His choosing when the light of the Person of Christ is revealed to us.
The light from the lampstand would reveal the beauty of the covering overhead and the beauty of the veil and the cherubim woven into that veil that separated the Holy of holies from the Holy Place. The reflection of light on the gold walls and golden furniture would clearly speak of what is revealed of Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us the light of His Person wherever we look.
The seven branches of the lampstand impress me, of the necessity of the Holy Spirit in my life as a believer. He reveals Christ, guides us into all truth and shows us things to come. Because of that we can see the "spirit of wisdom" gives us the proper use of knowledge. The "spirit of understanding" comes from truth given to conduct our life by. The "spirit of counsel" gives direction as to which course to follow in order to obey and please God. The "spirit of might" strengthens us by the power of Christ to accomplish God's purposes given to us in His Word. The "spirit of knowledge" gives us the information concerning our Lord Jesus Christ so we know Him better and can see things as He sees them. The "spirit of fear" of the Lord, deals with our attitude towards Him. A reverential fear is a respectful interest and commitment to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is inappropriate to have a casual attitude toward such a holy Person. Intimacy with Christ is not casualness but is closeness as two spirits share the same interests.
The total unity of the lampstand implies the fact that every aspect of the Lord Jesus Christ has one purpose as far as we are concerned - to give light that we might recognize where we are and who we are when we come into the presence of God to learn of Him, have fellowship with Him and worship Him.
It is easier to describe what light does rather than what it is I know what Christ does, better than I can describe the nature that is His. Yet by the light of the Holy Spirit and the truth God's Word reveals - There is much more unfolded to seeking eyes what was before concealed.
I look up and glory is there, He is Prophet, Priest and King The colors on the ceiling and the veil, thoughts of His Person and work do bring. Carefully woven and intertwined are the cherubim looking on And in reverential fear, I realize the presence of the Holy One.
Walls and furniture glistening with gold casting its reflection in my eyes Has a tendency to bring holy fear and whittles me down to size. When I realize how deity has allowed me to enter this place I begin to experience in a far greater measure the extent of amazing grace.
Furniture unique is placed strategically in places God did choose I need to carefully look at those positions lest some teaching I will lose In order to learn truth and be nourished and to worship in the right way I have to be able to see clearly and understand what His words say.
Stepping in as a child of God, a priest with service and worship to give
Light has to shine in the sanctuary where God with His people lives Self-made ideas would fail and I would stumble around in the dark If the light of the Person of Christ didn't show how each piece plays a part.
"Father, there is no question the whole world lies in darkness. How thankful I am for the Light of the world who is Jesus, and He give hope to the hopeless. But the light of God in the sanctuary for God's people is so helpful for those who love Thee and want to enjoy fellowship with Thee in service and worship. The glow of the presence of the Lord Jesus gives light to my soul and spirit as I read and meditate on Thy Word and Person. Thanks so much for such glorious light and the holy sights revealed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."