The Lampstand And The Word Of God Series

SERIES: “DISCOVER THE LESSONS OF THE TABERNACLE”

TEXT: EXODUS 25:31-40

TITLE: “THE LAMPSTAND AND THE WORD OF GOD”

OPEN: A. Light is certainly important

1. It’s important for sight

a. The visual ability of humans and other animals is the result of the complex interaction of light,

eyes and brain.

--We’re able to see because light from an object can move through space and reach our eyes

b. . Once light reaches our eyes, signals are sent to our brain, and our brain deciphers the

information in order to detect the appearance, location and movement of the objects we are

sighting at.

--The whole process, as complex as it is, would not be possible if it were not for the presence

of light

c. How many of us have stumbled or fallen or banged our shins where it’s so dark that we can’t

see?

--We could have saved ourselves from countless injuries if only we had light by which to see!

2. It’s important for growth

a. Plants feed themselves and grow by a process called photosynthesis.

b. Let me try to explain photosynthesis in a simple way

1). Plants absorb water and minerals by their roots but they also sweat water from their

leaves creating an upward stream in the trunk, which permits the sap fed by the roots to

reach the leaves.

--But only half the job is done,

2). Without light, the rest of the process can’t be accomplished.

--Light has to combine with chlorophyll and then these two ingredients enable the

completion of the process

c. Plant nurseries can go bankrupt if the owners don’t understand what kind of light is important

to the well-being of individual species of plants

--plants can die without the proper amount of light

B. Two weeks ago, we began our study of the tabernacle

1. Remember that the tabernacle was a large portable tent structure that served as the center of

worship for the Israelites as they traveled along their journey to the Promised Land

2. It served as the reminder of God’s presence among His people

3. It was comprised of three areas:

a. The Outer Court

--It was the general meeting area for the tabernacle

1). All Jewish people who had business at the tabernacle were welcome

2). It held the Altar of Sacrifice and the Bronze Washbasin we studied last week

b. The Holy Place

--The Holy Place was the start of the tabernacle proper and was 30 ft. long x 15 ft. wide

a). This is the area where the priests performed a good number of their daily duties

b). It held the Menorah (Golden Lamp stand), The Table of Presence (Shewbread), and the

Altar of Incense

c. The Holy of Holies

--15 ft. square

a). This is the area where only the high priest could enter and do so only once a year to spread

the blood on the mercy seat of God on the Day of Atonement

b). Inside the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant

D. This week, we’re looking at the Menorah or Golden Lampstand

I. THE LAMPSTAND – LIGHT FOR THE TABERNACLE

A. God’s command

1. Ex. 25:31-40 – “Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups,

buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the

lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds

and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches

extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond

flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the

lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in

all. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick

trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all

these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

2. Ex. 37:17-24 – tells us that it was made according to God’s plan

B. About the lampstand

1. The lampstand is sometimes referred to as the candlestick however candles were not yet invented, we

will therefore keep more properly to the description of lampstand.

--In Hebrew called the menorah

2. As you entered the Holy Place, the lampstand was to your left (south side)