The Tabernacle 2

Exodus 27:20–21 KJV 1900

20 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. 21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, 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.

We read about God’s direction for the light that He is referencing back in chapter 25.

Exodus 25:31–40 KJV 1900

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

The design of the lampstand is explicitly spelled out by God.

One author suggests that the design is meant to imitate the tree of life.

As the place of God’s presence, it would make sense that life would play a heavy role.

As we saw this morning, God is supremely interested in producing life in His people.

Even the design’s usage of a plant as a reference for construction we see a further connection to life.

The total weight of the candlestick would come out to 75 lbs of gold.

There is almost universal agreement as to the meaning of this light source.

As it was the only source of light within the tabernacle, it was a symbol of God’s light among the Israelites.

We know from Israel’s history that they routinely struggled with trusting in God alone.

Instead they regularly turned to idolatry.

Rarely did they turn their backs entirely to God.

Often, they sought to supplement God by adding other deities to their pantheon.

They struggled the most with trusting God and God alone.

Here in the Tabernacle, they were reminded that there was one source of light.

With the seven sources of light we are reminded that the number 7 is the number of completion.

God is their light; He is a complete light.

It was also to serve as a reminder of Israel’s mission to act as a light among the nations of the world.

Even to this day the 7 armed candlestick or menorah (the Hebrew word that is used here) is one of the most enduring images of the Jewish people.

Isaiah 49:6 “6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

God has never had a plan b in His designs for the world.

He’s still on plan A.

That plan was to use Israel as a source of light for the world.

Just a the candlestick provided light to the tabernacle, and God provided light to the Israelites.

When we come back to Exodus 27, we see that God allows humans to participate in His plan.

Everyone had a part in insuring that the light didn’t go out.

The people brought the oil to burn in the lamp.

Beaten and strained.

It had to be pure.

The priests attended to the lamp around the clock.

Trimming the wicks.

Keeping the oil reservoir filled.

This wasn’t just about them.

It was about keeping the light burning for future generations.

The lessons and mission were not just for their time.

They were to be passed down to future Israelites.

The light reminded the Israelites of who their God was and how they were to represent Him.

As we look to the future, we need to apply some of these same principles.

As a church, we need to remember where our light comes from.

John 8:12 “12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

We also have a mission.

MAtthew 5:14 “14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

Fulfilling this mission takes a team effort.

It also takes vigilance.

It requires us to be focused and not distracted.