The Menorah

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in the front of the lampstand.’ ” Aaron therefore did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Numbers 8:1–3, NASB95) The Menorah stood as a special instrument in the Tabernacle. It’s presence became so iconic of the presence of God among the people that it has become the national symbol for the State of Israel today.The Menorah is no usual lamp.  Composed of seven lamps on one lampstand, it was ornately decorated in gold with the buds and blossoms of an almond tree.  Interestingly, the lamps “will give light in the front of the lampstand” is a difficult verse to translate.  Literally, the lamps will light up the lampstand.  Why would lamps light a lampstand?  The true understanding is that the six lamps on either side of the “Lampstand” light in the center would each point toward the center, thus pointing to the central lampstand.  Christians believe that this central light is the Messiah, Christ Himself.The seven-branched Menorah was given as instruction from the Lord in intricate detail, both in Exodus and Leviticus.  God did not give a general instruction, but a detailed one.  The lamp, and all of its details, clearly have meaning to God.  The believer today can benefit from studying the meaning of the Lamp! In His Grace;Dr. Randy White