Exodus 25:31-40 ESV [31] “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. [32] And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; [33] three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. [34] And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, [35] and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. [36] Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. [37] You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. [38] Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. [39] It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. [40] And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.
The Tree of Life is represented by the golden lampstand
The golden lampstand made it possible for the priests to perform their duties. Its weight was a talent of gold, approximately 75 pounds. While it is not specified in scripture it is possible that it was 5 or 6 feet tall. Its branches represent a tree. A living tree growing, budding, and blossoming. In Isaiah 11 Jesus is described as a tree,
Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV [1] There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. [2] And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Jesus, the very source of all life. All things were created by him and for him.
Colossians 1:16-17 ESV [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Jesus IS the way, the truth, and the life! He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. So often we live like we are dead. A dried-up and withered tree. A defeated and destitute branch. Why? Even in the driest desert, we find life. Even in our despair, he is there. The psalmist said,
Psalm 139:8-12 ESV [8] If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! [9] If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10] even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” [12] even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
No matter how distant you feel from him, he is there! No matter how desolate it may seem, he is your oasis. No matter how dry, he is your living water. Come to him for life, come to him for light.
Jesus, the source of all light. He shines in a dark place.
John 8:12 ESV [12] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
When Jesus is our light we can see to walk! The lampstand was essential for the priests to minister. Light is necessary for us to minister.
1 John 1:7 ESV [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
The lampstand illuminated the darkness. It was the only source of light.
Sometimes our lives are thick clouds of darkness and overwhelming black nights. But, hold on! The sun is coming up in the morning. The night will end and the daystar will arise. Jesus, our day star will shine his countenance on our face. He will drive away the darkness. If only we endure the night the joy will come.
Jesus, the beauty of his splendor.
The golden lampstand was no doubt so very beautiful. Describe with words such as branches, flowers, cups, almond blossoms, and calyxes. When I read the word Calyxes I had no idea what it meant. So I looked it up.
BOTANY – the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud.
As I meditated on how the lampstand must have looked and how beautiful it must have been, descriptions that are hard to envision, it came to my heart, that Jesus is indescribable as well. His glory and splendor, the beauty of his appearance is beyond imagination. Beyond adequate description.
Revelation 1:12-17 AMP [12] Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; [13] and in the midst of the lampstands I saw someone like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe reaching to His feet, and with a golden sash wrapped around His chest. [14] His head and His hair were white like white wool, [glistening white] like snow; and His [all-seeing] eyes were [flashing] like a flame of fire [piercing into my being]. [15] His feet were like burnished [white-hot] bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was [powerful] like the sound of many waters. [16] In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory] was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday]. [17] When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and hades.
Jesus, his glorious beauty, walking where? Among the lampstands representing the churches, Jesus, beyond the inadequate human language, is walking. His beauty is beyond comparison. His glory is beyond description.
Come adore him this day. Come live an abundant life. Walk in his glorious light. Come marvel at his radiant beauty.