Exodus 25:31-40

³¹ “You should make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand should be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its flower buds, and its flower petals should be of one piece with it. ³² And there should 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 flower bud and flower petals, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with flower bud and flower petals, on the other branch- and like so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. ³⁴ And on the lampstand itself there should be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their flower buds and flower petals, ³⁵ and a flower bud of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. ³⁶ Their flower buds and their branches should be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. ³⁷ You should make seven lamps for it. And each of the lamps should be placed so as to give light on the space in front of it. ³⁸ Its tongs and their trays should be of pure gold. ³⁹ It, with all these utensils, should be made out of a talent of pure gold. ⁴⁰ And make sure that you make them following the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

lights for the world

The face bread reflected back on a recent experience the Israelites had – a covenant confirming meal in fellowship with God himself – face to face. The lampstands also reflected on an experience the Israelites were having. The LORD had been leading them by a great light – a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire at night. The light served the purpose of giving the Israelites direction. The lampstands in the tabernacle indicated this fact as well, but also encouraged the Israelites to lead others to the LORD. He was the light of the world, and so were they.

Jesus came and proclaimed that he was the light of the word, showing us all the way into a relationship with God.[1] But he also challenged his disciples by declaring that they were the light of the world.[2] He expects citizens of the sky kingdom to lead the rest of the world in the direction of God as well. Light means more than influence in this context. It means leadership.

LORD, make us courageous and confident leaders, directing the world around us to follow you.

[1] John 8:12; 9:5.

[2] Matthew 5:14.