And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, ‘When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.’ ” And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
Numbers 8:1-4
Candlestick
Nothing Kept Secret
“And He said unto them, ‘Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed?, and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.’
And He said unto them, ‘Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.’” Mark 4:21-25 (KJB)
Since Jesus had just explained the parables mentioned before, now Jesus it telling them the importance of giving these words, telling them to others. Jesus has revealed to them the light and power of the gospel. Now the apostles have the responsibility to share the gospel with others.
So as we who have believed; because the Spirit of God has opened our understanding, revealed to us the gospel of Christ; so also do we have the power and calling to let it shine and endeavor to give it to others.
Let us take note of the caveat’, “For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has.” If God gives me the ability to understand, and I share it, I am faithful in giving it away, then He will give me more understanding; but if I keep it all to myself, and do not share it, then He will take away even what I have.
Nothing was held back in giving understanding of the mystery of the gospel; its light, power, and glory; neither did they put it under a bushel to hide it. Neither should the Christian of today.
My Observations 021111
Reading today from Numbers 7 – 9.
Will focus today on chapter 8:1-4 dealing with what is called the menorah; the light of the tabernacle.
It has been said that darkness is only the absence of light, and that cold is the absence of heat. I can see that from a spiritual point of view; God’s point of view. Especially for the human race. We can be assured, however, that whether in darkness or cold God is present, and is speaking whether we hear or not.
The lamp or Menorah was the only source of light for the tabernacle. It would have been the first thing to tend upon entering the actual “tent”, filling the bowls with olive oil for the burning for light.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ‘Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.’ And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.” Numbers 8:1-4 (KJV)
This lampstand/menorah was positioned on the South side of the tabernacle, and the table of Shewbread was on the North side. The menorah was to be positioned to focus the light on the bread of the table. There were to be twelve loaves of bread on the table, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
As we can also see in these verses we are told once again that the candlestick is made of pure beaten gold. It is made by taking a piece of gold and forming it with a hammer, I suppose, or some other like tool; to shape it into this beautiful object known as a menorah. In its original form it had three lamps on one side, and three on the other side with one in the middle. A total of seven lights burning. Seven for complete light. We might think that would not be much light. Seven lamps burning in such a small room, however, would illuminate the room quite well. Have you ever been in a cave, in total darkness, without your flashlight turned on or without any light burning? It is so dark you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. One person lighting a single match can light up a room of a cavern. Darkness is dispelled. Darkness flees in the presence of a sign of light.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). He has also told those who follow Him,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 4:14-16
As I read the Scriptures it becomes even more clear, every time I read through the Bible, that the overwhelming evidence is that both Old and New Testaments point to Jesus Christ as the central character of Scripture. Even the last book of the Bible tells us,
“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10
He is the light of a dark heart. He is the light of the world. He is the light. He is the light that shows men where to find bread; for He also said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48).
Come out of the darkness of sin and death; into the light of Jesus Christ through His death, burial and resurrection.
Please read Numbers 7 – 9
-Tim A. Blankenship
Not By Might…
It would seem that the prophet Zechariah was asleep at the approaching of the angel who is speaking with him through this prophecy. The prophet has written,
“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep” Zechariah 4:1 (KJV)
It could be that the prophet has just been awed and overwhelmed by the things he has just heard and seen in chapter three. and now there is more to the prophecy.
In the verses of chapter four we find a message which is familiar with the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is also familiar with the five books of the Law of Moses. The candlestick was a light for the tabernacle in the wilderness, and within the Temple after it was built. It was the daily task of the priest to keep olive oil in the bowls of the candlestick so it would never go dark. In the Revelation there is a candlestick [Lampstand] for each of the seven churches. Or is there?
The prophecy continues,
“And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” (vv. 2-3 KJV).
The original menorah of the temple was one candlestick [lampstand] with seven branches, and each had a small bowl for the oil, and a wick for the burning to provide the light. It seems that what the prophet is viewing is heavenly. Does the Word of God not tell us that the design for the tabernacle came from heaven?
Where in the tabernacle and the temple the refueling of the branches was the duties of the priests; we have a picture here of a never ending supply of oil going to the branches from the two olive trees. There is evidently two pipes to supply the seven pipes which provide the oil (v. 12). From “two olive branches” come the two pipes; from these two – one from each side – come the provision of oil for the light of the candlestick.
Jesus said, “Out of your bellies shall flow rivers of living water”, an abundance, an overflow, never ending supply. The supply is God’s and is His to fulfill.
“So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (vv. 4-6 KJV).
It was the daily duties of the priests of Israel to tend to the oil of the lampstand, the bread, and the incense of the altar. Theirs was a task without end. However, when Jesus Christ came, lived, died on the cross, was buried, and bodily rose from the dead; the task of the priesthood is done. Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory fulfilled in these acts the work that was only pictured, foreshadowed, typical of the priesthood of Israel.
By the Holy Spirit, which is given by the Lord Himself, there is a never ending supply from God of power to overcome sin, darkness, wickedness, and every vile deed. There is power to live righteously, justly, holy, and given entirely to the Lord and His work.
We have seen in chapter three the introduction of Joshua the high priest, and now we find a king. Now, isn’t that a wonderful picture. Jesus Christ the holy, just and undefiled High Priest who became our sin offering Himself; and risen to life as the King of kings; full of grace, and power, and glory.
The might, the power of men such as Joshua and Zerubbabel is not sufficient to endure the task of the salvation of men, and the salvation of Israel. Thus it has been given, “Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, saith, the LORD of hosts.”
In Jesus Christ the risen Lord of glory there is a never ending supply of the oil of the Spirit of God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 