The Lampstand With Its Lamps

by T.W. Fullerton | Category: The Tabernacle: | Jul 1959

The account of the making of the lampstand and its vessels is given in Exodus 37, and the instructions to Moses for the making of it are found in chapter 25. Its material and workmanship afford many lessons of deep spiritual significance, and in this article we wish to draw attention to some of these.

Firstly we remark that the word lampstand is the correct translation, as anyone can discern from the fact that it was a stand for a number of lamps that burned olive oil. This oil the children of Israel were commanded to bring to the house of God, "to cause a lamp to burn continually." It was to be beaten from the olives (Exodus 27.20).

The stand was made of pure gold, and of beaten work, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers were of one piece with it. There were six branches going out of the sides of it, three out of one side of the lampstand, and three out of the other side. Almond-blossoms, a knop and a flower, adorned all the branches, as well as the main shaft of the lampstand; but the shaft had four such knops and flowers, whereas the branches had but three each. There were seven lamps, which were to give light over against the lampstand. Tongs and snuffdishes were among the vessels thereof. All were made of pure gold; a talent of this precious material was used in the making.

The LORD enjoined that these were to be made after their pattern, which He had shown Moses in the Mount. This was an essential matter as we have earlier emphasized (Exodus 25.40).

Let us now consider the great value of the lampstand and its vessels, which were made, as we have seen, from a talent of pure gold. We are not told how high it stood, nor are we informed how widely its branches stretched. These omissions would suggest to us that what is being set forth does not relate so much to size, but being made of pure gold suggests rather that the quality of the lampstand is all important.

A talent (114 lbs.) of pure gold at the present high price of gold would be worth over �18,000. This alone makes it clear that we are dealing with something that is very high in value. We wish, however, to ask the attention of our readers to the manner in which the lampstand was made, because this, we judge, enhances its value considerably. It was

MADE OF BEATEN WORK

The work would have been comparatively easy had it been cast, but twice over we read, "of beaten work shall the lampstand be made." Day by day the skilful workmen would use their hammers. Many heavy blows would fall upon the impressionable gold, and many light taps would be necessary. Great skill would be needed to turn out so magnificent a piece of work.

A beloved fellow-worker had dealing with an engineering firm, which sent him a present which consisted of a small paper-weight in the shape of a tray with a little frog neatly poised in the centre. Being deeply interested in the workmanship he enquired from the firm about it, and learned that the value of the copper contained in it was about one penny, whereas the finished article was valued at ten shillings and six pence. This will serve to illustrate how workmanship enhances values. When applied to the lampstand we can readily understand that its value as a finished article was beyond that of the talent of gold itself. We would not risk making an estimate, but readers will be able to glean what we are seeking to illustrate. We draw attention to these things because we desire it to be clear that whatever the Holy Spirit is symbolizing that thing is of great value in the sight of God.

We should also pay attention to the fact that what is of great value with God is not always so in the sight of men. The thoughts and ways of God and men are very different. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts " (Isaiah 55.8, 9). Then the declaration of the Lord Jesus in Luke 16.15 is most solemn. He said to the Pharisees, "Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God." It follows that what God values highly men are likely to esteem lightly, unless enlightened by the Spirit and word of God.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LAMPSTAND

What then does the lampstand symbolize? The answer to this question is given in Revelation chapter 1 by the Lord Jesus Himself, "The seven lampstands," says He, " are seven churches " (verse 20). The seven stars held in the right hand of the Lord represented the angels or messengers of the seven churches, but the lampstands represented the seven churches. Though there was only one lampstand in the tabernacle there are many churches of God. Numbers do not affect the type (e.g. as of boards or curtains) ; the type is of a church of God. A lampstand therefore sets forth a church of God.

Here we must pause to ask our readers to make quite sure from the Scriptures what a church of God is. Perhaps few phrases are more laxly used than the phrase, "the church of God." Many apply it to the Church which is the Body of Christ, others apply it to the whole of Christendom as it appears on the earth today. These, however, are not how the Holy Spirit uses the term. Always in the Scriptures the term church of God refers to a local company of saints gathered together of God, and separated from what is contrary to the will of God (Acts 20.17, 28; 1 Corinthians 1.2). What encouragement is afforded us who are outside the camp with the Lord to know that He sets so high a value upon a church of God!

DIVINE TESTIMONY

The church of God locally is a lampstand, and is a testimony bearer for God, forming part of the house of God. After the seventy years' captivity when the LORD'S house was being built again by Zerubbabel and the Remnant, the prophet saw a vision of a lampstand, and he was told that the work though small was not to be despised, because the work was of the Spirit of God: "Not by might (an army) nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah

4.6). The plummet was in the hand of Zerubbabel (verse 10), which suggests the work of the careful builder. and reminds us that in our day the plummet of the word of God must be used if we are to build His house according to His revealed will. It is just here that so many have erred; instead of coming to the Scriptures to learn how God would have them build they follow either their own ideas, or those of some other person. This accounts for the multiplicity of sects in our time, a state of things that is in exact opposition to what the Lord Jesus prayed for before He went out to endure the cross for us. Thus He prayed concerning His own, "These are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are... That they all may be one... that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me" (John 17. 11, 21). The Lord Jesus thus had before Him the matter of testimony-bearing on the part of His disciples, and to be together as one was an essential if this witness were to be borne.

The church in Ephesus had left its first love, and the Lord sends this solemn message to it, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent " (Revelation 2.5). It we could but remember that the Lord died that He might have a people together as one it would certainly encourage us to respond to His desire and commands. The Spirit tells us that Christ died "not for the nation only, but that He might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad." (John 11.52).

THE SPIRIT'S ACTIVITY

The lampstand had seven lamps of fire burning on it. As John the beloved disciple looked into heaven he saw "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God" (Revelation 4.5). The term "seven Spirits" of God, used earlier in chapter 1. verse 4, sets forth, I judge, the perfect activities of the Holy Spirit. We are assured that in heaven before God's throne the Holy Spirit is in perfect activity. There is none there to quench Him, to resist Him or to grieve Him. God's will is that as it is in heaven so it should be on earth. And where on earth should we turn to find a spot in which the blessed Spirit could have this liberty? There is only one place where this can he known, and that is in the church of God. This place is signified by the lampstand with its seven lamps of fire. The church of God therefore is the place wherein the truth of God is acknowledged and taught; where the desire expressed in the prayer the Lord taught His disciples to pray, "Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth" (Matthew 6. 10) should be realized. Oh that the solemnity of being in the church of God were more impressed upon us, that we might be increasingly conscious of the greatness of the responsibility this position involves

Somewhat of the value of the church of God may be gathered from the apostle's words in Acts 20.28. There, addressing the elders of the Ephesian church he says, "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops (overseers), to feed the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood." He possessed it by mighty purchase-the blood of His own (Son). Here we should note that the term church of God applies to the church of God in the city of Ephesus, the elders of which Paul was addressing.

LAMPS BURNING AND SHINING

The individuals in the church of God in the city are lamps or lights. A daily supply of the oil, which is the Spirit and word of God, is needful if the lamps are to burn and shine. God forbid that His people should be clear and cold as the moon. Of John the Baptist the Lord said, "He was the lamp that burneth and shineth" (John 5.85). There were in John's life and ministry both warmth and light like the sun. If we are conscious of being a luminary let us see to it firstly that we get our daily supply of the oil, and then let us be quite sure that our lamp is on the stand, that is the lampstand. The Lord Jesus says, "Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand? " (Mark 4.21). Is the reader's lamp on the stand? The lamps on the stand were to give light over against it, or "in front of the lampstand"(Numbers 8.2, 8). This was in the house where the priests were continually serving the LORD. This speaks to us of priesthood service, the highest service in which the redeemed can engage. If we are bringing our light to the house there is certain to be luminaries in the world.

HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP

The believer is a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3.20), and he should manifest this fact in the sight of men. Children of God, young and old, have come to realize in various degrees, the power and influence of the world and its ways, in attracting the flesh within them, causing that continuous warfare, of which the apostle speaks, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh" (Galatians 5.17). But while this conflict may cause warfare within the believer, this is not necessarily evident to those around, who should see in him only a manifestation of Christ. Testimony is borne of certain of the early disciples that onlookers "took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4.18). There were things about them which marked them out as His followers.

We can well ask ourselves, "Is there that about us, which marks us out as different from others ? " It is not so much what we say, as what we are, and do. Do we, by the manifestation of the truth, commend" ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God " ? (2 Corinthians 4.2). If we have heard the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, and have received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God; if we have learned that, through His Cross the world has been crucified unto us, and we unto the world (see Galatians 6.14); if the truth of the Lord's return has had the purifying effect upon us which it is intended to have (see 1 John 3.8); then men would see in us something different from that in others, who know not Christ. Our lives and conversation will be different; our homes will be different; our feet will not carry us to places where we would be ashamed to be found, if our Lord returned.

A flood of literature is pouring out from the world's printing presses, religious, educational, entertaining, but very much is demoralizing. It has been said, "A man is known by the books that he reads, as well as by the company he keeps." It may be that on business calls we have scanned the room for evidence of life, or interest in spiritual and eternal things. Such evidence we have found displayed on the bookshelves, or in the type of newspaper, or in the pictures on the walls. If the Cross of Christ activates us, we will be careful as to what type of literature engages our attention or is seen in our own homes.

Television may have its practical uses. There are the subjects educational; there are the business advertisements; there are the things entertaining to the flesh and to the carnal mind, but ofttimes nauseating to the spiritual mind. But, we judge, the believer should not desire television in his house. Television in the home and an appetite for the Word of God do not agree.

The radio has its very practical uses, and we would wish to deny it to none who require it for any useful purpose; but let each believer ask himself the question, "Why have I got it?" Have we not heard it said by some that "our young people cannot go here or there, they are debarred from this and that, and they must have something?" Surely, if our young people know and love the Lord, and His word, they would not be longing for the flesh pots of Egypt, and if such be the excuse of parents for bringing into the home television and radio it seems that spirituality in such cases is reaching a low ebb and spiritual disaster may not be far off. Moreover, let us take heed lest by such action it should be a cause of offence to the consciences of others.

While it is needful for most of us to "profess honest occupations for necessary uses" (Titus 3.14, R.V.M.) and "to provide things honest in the sight of men," let us aim at making manifest the fact that our calling and "citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ," thus commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

T.W. Fullerton | Jul 1959
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