91_Lampstand- the source of light Ex 25:31-40 “Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 32 Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 33 Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 34 Craft the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 35 There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. 36 The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37 Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 38 The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39 You will need 75 pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories. 40 “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain. One of the most breathtaking experiences in nature is watching the sunrise over a vast horizon. In that quiet moment, as the first golden rays pierce through the darkness, everything changes. What was once hidden in shadow is now illuminated. Light transforms, reveals, and gives life. It is no surprise, then, that the Bible begins with God’s declaration: “Let there be light.” Before the sun, before the stars, before any natural source of light existed, there was light—because God Himself is the true light. In Exodus 25:31-40, God commands the construction of the lampstand for the Tabernacle. This lampstand was to be made of pure gold, with seven branches, crafted as a single beaten work. It stood in the Holy Place, alongside the table of showbread and the altar of incense. In the heavily covered tabernacle, the lampstand provided the only light by which the priests could minister at night. Without it, they would be in complete darkness. Throughout Scripture, the lampstand is a powerful symbol. It appears in Solomon’s temple, in Zechariah’s visions, and in John’s revelation, where he sees seven lampstands representing the churches. The lampstand signifies God’s witness—His light of love. Jesus embodies this truth perfectly. John 1:4 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” It was not merely His teaching, His miracles, or His deeds that revealed the nature of God, but His very life of love. Hebrews affirms this, saying that Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. The lampstand also describes our relationship with Christ. Just as the seven branches were one piece of gold, Christ and His Church are one. He is the vine, we are the branches; He is the head, we are His body. When the risen Lord appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, He did not say, “Why are you persecuting my followers?” He said,