"Through the Bible" Week 10 The Lamp-Stand Holds the Oil Fueled Light

Holy Place

Numbers 8:1-4 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron and say to him, `When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lamp-stand.'"

The national symbol for the state of Israel

The Menorah symbolizes the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Horeb. The Jewish historian, Josephus, claimed that there were seven lamps because there were seven visible planets - others said they represented the seven days of creation week.

Revelation 1:20 explains that the seven lamp-stands represent the church - Revelation 4:5 adds - around the throne of God were seven lamp-stands "which are the seven spirits of God."

The lamp is also symbolic of the commands: These commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light. Proverbs 6:23 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105

I Peter 1:19-21 "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Philippians 2:14, 15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world.

Zechariah 4:1-6 As Zechariah looked at the menorah, God explained: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit."

Luke 2:29-32 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation... a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Simeon)

Acts 13:47-49 "This is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Acts 26:22, 23 "I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen -- that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."

Each morning the priest lit the middle lamp, taking fire from the altar of incense, which is a symbol of prayer. From the middle lamp, now representing Christ, the other lamps were lit one by one. Christ, the central light, and all of His ministers throughout the world bring light to the dark places.

Will the church of Jesus Christ continue to actively shine this light we have been given, or will we become like those who have gone before us and hoard the light, keeping it, as Jesus said, hidden under a bushel?

How will we let the light shine? 1. Know the Gospel. 2. Share the Gospel. 3. Support others who know and share the Gospel.

The light of Christ, shining through the witness of His followers sheds light on the presence of God.

If the lamps have fuel, and if the wicks are lit by the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth and all nations will see the light of the Glory of God, the Love of God, and the Hope that only faith in God can provide in this darkened time.