Lynda MacDonald, Nova Scotia
The Tabernacle’s golden lamp stand (Ex 25: 31-40) was an everyday reminder to the priests that they were to walk in God’s light and not in the light of human wisdom or understanding. They could fulfill the services of God only if they walked in the light provided by Him.
The seven-post menorah was both a light and a light carrier – a symbol of faith and hope. We read in the Torah, the original instructions God gave concerning the design of the menorah for His Sanctuary. God declared to Moses: "You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work.. Its shafts, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower -- and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. "On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. "Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be of one hammered piece of pure gold. "You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. "And its wick-trimmers and their trays shall be of pure gold. It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain" (Exodus 25:31-40, NKJV)
The menorah is a symbol of believers who bear light in a very dark world.
Yeshua (Jesus) said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matt 5:14) “Be dressed and have your lamps lit”. (Luke 12:35) “Among whom you shine as stars in the sky”. Philippians 2:15
As believers, we are to live everyday being the light to a world that lives in spiritual darkness.
In John 9:1, we read “This (Yeshua) was the true light, which gives light to everyone entering the world.”
In Psalm 36:9, King David said of God “ For with you (God) is the fountain of life; in Your light, we see light.”
The menorah is a concrete symbol of God Himself, the source of light. Its central lamp is called by the Jews ner Elohim (the lamp of God). David exclaimed, “You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29, NIV), thereby identifying God with the menorah as He Who illuminates the darkness. The Psalmist observed that God “wraps Himself in light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2, NIV). Rather than bedeck Himself in the brilliant colours associated with the pagan deities of the ancient world, God clothed Himself in pure white light as a mantle. God’s majesty illuminated the Temple as the fiery light of a golden lamp.
The light of the menorah corresponded to the Torah, the light of which is the eternal flame that ever illuminates men’s pathway. The entirety of God’s instruction became man’s spiritual light. Solomon summarized God’s grace in giving His Ten Commandments (instructions) to men: “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23, RSV). God’s commandments are clear, “enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).
Light is equated with both knowledge and wisdom in Scripture. For this reason, the menorah speaks of enlightenment–learning, understanding, and reason–the light of knowledge that makes life meaningful and fulfilling. Light also speaks of wisdom in all of its forms. The fact that the Temple menorah is made from one solid piece of gold and not of pieces soldered together reveals the truth that all wisdom is from one Source.
The menorah demonstrates that knowledge is not limited to an elite, exclusive society, but is available to all men. The menorah’s light is manifest in the diversity of seven lamps, indicating that while the light is not limited to a single source, it is also not restricted to a single recipient. All men have the capacity to receive light and to reflect light. All that is needed is connection to the source of the light, the Living Menorah Himself. Light leads to cognition and action as the Spirit gives insight and wisdom and at the same time spurs man to moral volition and accomplishment.
The menorah is expressive of God's divine light. It is symbolic of the Law, or Torah, of God, in its complete -- seven -- branched fulfillment!
The menorah expresses the fullness of the light that is in Christ. Since we are also members of His spiritual body (see 2 Cor 12:12-27), we also express His light shining through and from us. Yeshua (Jesus) Himself, the "Word" or Logos of God, is the full and perfect expression of the Word of God -- the Torah, Teaching, and Law of God -- all in One. We, also, therefore, are to become the same -- the divine expression of God's Torah, Teaching, Law, and His love, which is the fulfillment of His Law (1 John 5:3.
The Messiah is the embodiment of God's Torah, His divine Law, His Word -- and we are to become the very same! We also are to shine forth as He does -- with the divine light of life!
We are God's menorah in the earth! So-
♫ ♫“This little light of mine –I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!” ♫
