Monday Feb. 5, The Seven Lamps {Num. 8:1-10:36}
Two census are taken of the tribes of Israel during their journey to the promised land. One taken first at Mount Sinai, and the second in Moab. Thus we get the book of Numbers, or Bemidar (the Jewish title). The first ten chapters describe how Moses organizes the people of Israel for the trip ahead of them. Included is the dedicating of the Levites, the first Passover since the exodus, and God’s instructions to Israel about when they were to camp, and when they were to travel. But what sticks with me in chapters 8-10, is the golden lampstand and the seven lamps.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, “When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in front of the lamp stand.” Aaron therefore did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand just as the Lord has commanded Moses. (8:2-3)
In Exodus, God gave detailed instructions as to how the lampstand was to be made. It needed to have seven branches, which is the Hebrew number of completion or perfection, and was to be placed in the tabernacle in the first section called the Holy Place. Being the only light in the tabernacle, it was the job of Aaron and his sons to make sure that both day and night the light burned brightly and never went out. Before the golden menorah were seven lamps which provided supporting light.
Just like all things regarding the tabernacle, the lampstand is a symbol of Christ Jesus, the true Light of the world. I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12) Jesus calls all who follow Him out of darkness, and into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) And just like the high priests who needed the light of the lampstand to approach God, we too need Jesus to approach God in worship and to receive salvation. For as Jesus says in John 4:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
So if Jesus is the lampstand, we in turn are the lamps supporting Him. He calls us to be examples of His glorious light in a spiritually dark world. 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.(Matt. 5:14-16)
Our mission as Christians is to be “lights burning with the fire of heaven” (Dr. Charles Stanley) Today and everyday let’s lead lives that are shining with the light of Jesus and out of love for Him and our God, spread the saving message of the Gospel so that all will praise our Father in heaven!
