Based on Exodus 37:17-24 (New King James Version)
“He also made the lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece. And six branches came out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. There were three bowls 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 coming out of the lampstand. And on the lampstand itself were four bowls made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. There was 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 extending from it. Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold. And he made its seven lamps, its wick-trimmers, and its trays of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold he made it, with all its utensils.”
The lampstand of the tabernacle has a lot of meaning, things that are very deep, even in its details. But it would not be a very good idea to delve into the details because often we focus so much on the details that we lose sight of the main view, the essential, of what matters most to us and concerns us. There are many people who focus so much on irrelevant details that they lose sight of the truth and end up putting aside the obvious about God and what is necessary for their lives. In other words, it's like focusing on a person's finger pointing to the sky, that if you only set your sights on that, you lose sight of all the heavenly glory to which it is pointing to. That is why sometimes it is good to see details, but also, sometimes it is not worthwhile because there are things that are much more pressing to us individually.
In reference to the lampstand, we will see certain aspects, or even possibly obvious things that matter too much in the total scheme, and undoubtedly apply to our person. The first thing is that the purpose of the lampstand was to give light to those who entered the place where it was located, and those people were very limited and specific, because after it was made and put in its place, hardly anyone could see it because it was set in the holy place of the tabernacle, and only the priests saw it. The second thing that made it very unique was that it was made of pure gold. It was not made like many other things in the temple itself that were covered in gold. The lampstand was carved from a piece of pure gold, hammered into its shape. And the third thing was that the lampstand had 7 branches, that is, 3 branches on each side of the center arm, and with the center arm there were 7 in total, which symbolizes the number of divinity.
Now, what then symbolized this very special and unique lampstand, the menorah as it is called in Hebrew? It was simply a representation of God Himself, because it had the divine number in its arms, because it was made of pure gold (Holy), and because God is the eternal light. This is what the Lord Himself said: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” John 8:12. So then, what is the obvious purpose of the Lord for the world? He is the One that lights the entire world with His light, beyond the physical and temporary, which also depend on His Person, as it is written: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:15-17. He is the Light of life, of eternity, of reason and wisdom, of justice, and all things that can be considered divine light. His light is unique in the entire universe. Not even the biggest star can compare to God's light, especially what it means to us. If a person does not have the light of God in their life, even if they can see physically, by continuing in spiritual darkness apart from God, they will not see eternal life. If a person dies without God within themselves, they will be condemned to eternal darkness after the great judgment where not even the memory of their existence will remain. It will be as if it never existed.
What else can we see through this? That this lampstand or menorah also appears in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. But in that occasion, it is the symbol for the 7 churches of the Revelation, as it is written: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’ Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” Revelation 1:11-13. And who are the ones that compose these churches? Us. The incredible thing about this is that symbolism of the lampstand begins with God, with Someone Supreme and Holy, and ends with imperfect and impure people like us. The Lord Himself said furthermore this with regards to the light: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. So then, how can this be?
God's love, design, and intentions are truly a mystery. How could such a unique Being want to convert things or beings as imperfect, limited, and with as little value as us into something like Him? This is one of those things that we should simply appreciate, be thankful for, and seek to reciprocate such love and kindness. There is no logic that can help us understand such things, and that is why we have the blessing of faith. Faith helps us to accept and appreciate such things. And, through that same faith, we can become what He wants to make of our lives. He wants to make us as precious and unique as that lampstand, for us to show His light to the whole world, so that through us, the world can know Him, and thus continue to perpetuate His mercy from generation to generation until He decides that all this needs to end and let us continue to the eternal universe that He has prepared for those who love Him. So, what should this teach us? That we need Him to be able to convert to His likeness, considering that He is giving us the opportunity to something that before Christ was impossible. The cross of Christ broke the veil of the temple to make fully accessible what was previously so sacred and inaccessible, from a lampstand that only certain men could see, to make us part of that eternal lampstand that is designed to give the light of God to the whole world, to every creature, for all eternity, something that will never go out or cease to be, only by the power and mercy of God. So, are you still in eternal darkness, or will you be part of God's eternal light? Lord bless! John