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[g] 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, “Why are you persecuting Me?” We do not operate independently, but in Christ, we are in the will of God.

The construction of the lampstand was entirely of gold, representing Christ’s divine nature. Yet its shape, with buds, blossoms, and almond fruit, speaks of life and growth. The Church, like the lampstand, contains people at different stages of spiritual maturity—some are buds, just beginning their journey of faith; others are blossoms, showing promise and beauty; while others have borne fruit, bringing glory to God. Even within an individual believer, these stages may exist simultaneously in different areas of life. Spiritual growth is not instantaneous but an ongoing process of transformation, but the outcome is always new fruit and new life.

The priests had to trim the wicks and replenish the oil daily to ensure the light burned brightly and did not produce smoke. God continually works in us to remove the old and burnt out ash of our dead works, shaping our wicks to burn brightly, supplying His Spirit. Without responding to this constant attention, our light dims. Many churches today have neglected to heed his leading, to follow their first love, like the church in Ephesus. Revelation 2:5 carries a sobering warning: “If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place.” The light of the Church is not self-sustained—it depends entirely on abiding in Christ and walking in the Spirit.

Christ declared in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” But He also warned that light is not meant to be hidden. A city on a hill cannot be concealed, and a lamp is not placed under a basket. The Church is called to shine brightly and steadily so that the world may see and glorify God. This light is not artificial, conjured by human effort. It is the true light of Christ, shining through lives transformed by His presence.

The lampstand was to be made according to the pattern God showed Moses on the mountain. God has given us His Word as the blueprint for His people to live, and thus, to shine. The Church doesn’t shape itself after the patterns of the world, but according to His divine design. 1 Samuel describes what happens when we ignore this basic fact. David sought to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The priests placed it on a cart instead of carrying it on their shoulders, as the Lord had instructed. When the cart lurched, Uzza put out his hand to steady it. The result was his death. When the Church adopts worldly methods, it fails to reflect God’s character and invites disastrous consequences.

The lampstand reminds us that God has poured His life into us to be His witnesses. Let us examine ourselves lest we be found lightless, estranged from Christ, disobedient and unrepentant. Let us abide in Him, with his word dwelling in us daily. Just as the oil in the lampstand kept it burning, we need to be filled with the Spirit. When we purify ourselves, walking in step with the Spirit, set apart for his will, the light of Christ shines through us, glorifying God. God bless.