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Niagara Ministries Church of Midland
Pastor Angel De Jesus
Sunday, 14 February, 1999
01:37:20 AM Summary: Lev 24:2-4 The oil
(emblematic of the Holy Spirit) used in the gold lampstand (a type of
Christ) was to be beaten oil, a higher grade than that obtained simply by
pressing (cf. Ex. 27:20, 21). Though it was the duty of Aaron, the high
priest, to trim and refuel the lamps each morning and evening (Ex. 30:7,
8), it was the responsibility of the people to provide the oil.
Num 8:2 Aaron was to “arrange” the lampstand so that the light shone on
the Bread of the Presence (Lev. 24:5-9, note).
Ex 37:17-24. The golden candlestick (lit., lampstand) was one of the
most ornate objects in the Holy Place. It was made of pure gold and
consisted of an upright shaft. From each side three branches extended
upward in pairs. This type of lampstand is to be seen on the famous arch
of Titus in Rome, built almost 14 centuries later. Similarly, pottery
lamps with seven places for wicks are attested from various sites dating
from the early Iron Age (1200-900 b.c.). The lamps of the lampstand were
to be trimmed every evening at sunset and again in the morning (Ex.27:20,
21; 30:7, 8; Lev. 24:3, 4). All were never to be extinguished at one time.
A special ordinance was established to keep it supplied with pure olive
oil (Ex27:20; Lev. 24:2). The lampstand’s practical function was to
provide light for the priests who were serving in the Holy Place. But from
a symbolic perspective, it quite clearly typifies the Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the true Light (John 1:6-9; 8:12). Believers in this age are “the
light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). In the Book of Revelation the church is
symbolized by the golden lampstand (Rev. 1:10-20). Many have found the oil
to be a representation of the Holy Spirit and the gold to symbolize the
deity of Christ. Some have estimated its worth to be around $34,000.
Lev24:4. Pure candlestick: Actually, it was a “lampstand” (Ex. 27:20,
21) that was put in the Holy Place, which otherwise would have been
completely dark. Some have seen the lampstand as typical of Israel, which,
in God’s purpose, was meant to be a light to the ancient Near Eastern
nations. But the true light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory
to His people Israel, is Jesus Christ (Luke 2:32; cf. Matt. 5:16; Eph.
5:8; Phil. 2:15).
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee
in the mount [Exod. 25:40].
The lampstand is probably the most perfect picture of Christ found in the
tabernacle furniture. It sets Him forth as pure gold and speaks of His
deity. It sets Him forth as He is-God. Worship has to do with walking in
the light. This is a very important fact to see.
We have studied the table of showbread and have seen that it spoke of the
fact that when we worship God we must feed on the Lord Jesus Christ. If
you go to church and you are only entertained, or given a book review, or
listen to some social issue being debated, or hear how you can improve
your city, you are not having a worship service. You are just having a
meeting. You only worship God when you feed upon Him who is the table of
showbread.
Now in order to worship God, you must also walk in the light. Christ is
the light, as symbolized by the lampstand in the Holy Place. If you wanted
natural light, you had to go outside the tabernacle. If you wanted to walk
in the light of the lampstand, you had to go inside the tabernacle. John
1:9 tells us that Jesus Christ is the “… true Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world.” You will find that there are people who
counsel others by “words.” We are told that through philosophy and vain
deceit we can be deceived. Listen to the words of Paul in Colossians 2:8,
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after
Christ.” Christ is not just another philosopher who “darkened counsel by
words without knowledge.” He is the Son of God, and in Him there is no
darkness at all.
The lampstand was actually made of one piece of gold. It was beaten work,
highly ornamented. It had a central shaft, but extending from that shaft
were three branches on each side, making a total of seven branches in all.
Each branch was like the limb of an almond tree with fruit and blossom. At
the top was an open almond blossom, and it was here that the lamps filled
with oil were placed.
The almond blossoms looked like wood but they were gold. They remind us of
Aaron’s rod that budded. When Aaron’s priestly prerogative was in
question, the budding of his almond rod established his right to the
priesthood. The almond rod, a dead branch, was made to live and bear
fruit. Christ was established as the Son of God by His resurrection from
the dead. The resurrection did not make Christ the Son of God because He
was already that from the eternal counsels of God; the resurrection only
confirmed it. Aaron was the God-appointed high priest and this position
was confirmed by the resurrection of the dead almond rod. The resurrection
of Christ likewise established His priesthood. Christ is our great High
Priest. He became a man and partook of our nature, “tempted in all points
as we are, yet without sin.” But the primary basis of His priesthood is
His deity. The priest represented man before God. And Christ, as God who
became man, is now the God-man who represents man. There is Someone in
heaven who knows and understands me! He is able to help me. The
resurrection which declared Him to be the Son of God likewise declared His
right to the priesthood.
It is interesting to note that no measurements are given for the lampstand.
Why? Because you can’t put a yardstick down on Deity, friend. You cannot
measure Him as the Son of God. You can’t understand Him. He is beyond the
computation of man. Yet He also was perfectly human. His deity and
humanity are never fused. Along with the fact that Jesus wept was the fact
that He commanded Lazarus to come forth.
The lampstand gave light in the Holy Place. It was the place of worship.
Notice that the lampstand held up the lighted lamps. In turn, the lamps
revealed the beauty of the lampstand. The oil in the lamps represents the
Holy Spirit. Christ said of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, “But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.” When you and I study the Word together,
we meet around the person of Christ, and it is the Holy Spirit who takes
the things of Christ and shows them unto us-just as those lamps reveal the
beauty of the lampstand. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ as the Son of God,
the One who came to earth on our behalf and who lives in heaven to
intercede for us.
OIL FOR THE LAMP
The conclusion of this chapter is quite interesting. It deals with the oil
for the lamp, and it is unusual that this subject should be brought up at
this particular place.
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee
pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always [Exod.
27:20].
Oil, as has already been pointed out, speaks of the Holy Spirit of
God-Zechariah’s interpretation of the lampstand: “… Not by might, nor by
power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). The light is
that which the Holy Spirit gives. The Holy Spirit will not speak of
Himself, but He takes the things of Christ and shows them unto us.
In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before
the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning
before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on
the behalf of the children of Israel [Exod. 27:21].
The burning light speaks of Christ. Now all that has changed-the Lord
Jesus Christ has gone back to heaven. Matthew 5:14 tells us: “Ye are the
light of the world….” You and I do not make much light. It is only the
Spirit of God that can use us. The first picture we have of Christ in the
Book of Revelation shows Him walking in the midst of the lampstands. He is
trying to keep the church’s light of witness alive and burning on earth.
Christ is dealing with those who are His own.
A word or two should be said about two articles of furniture not yet
mentioned. One piece of furniture is the altar of incense which is
mentioned over in Exodus chapter 30. If you were going to worship God, you
had to come by this altar.
The other article of furniture not yet mentioned is the brazen laver. The
laver made one clean to worship God. At the brazen altar you received
Jesus Christ as Savior, and at the brazen laver you are washed and
cleansed by the Holy Spirit of God. Then you are permitted to go and
worship God.
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