“He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put.” Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness your testimony is not valid.” ![]() In John 8, we see Yeshua speaking in the temple, declaring, In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” The light is a witness to and of God. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Yeshua teaches in Matthew 5 that we too are called to be that light to the world: And his people are called to be his representatives in bringing that light too. It’s a symbol of bringing God’s glory, truth, and light into the world. In Zechariah 4:6, when the prophet asks about the menorah. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD”, Jewish tradition holds that it reminds the people of Israel that they are also called to be his “Light to the nations” as God prescribed in Isaiah 42:6. Solid gold, with seven stands but made of one piece, and adorned with almond blossoms… The Menorah spreads Lightįirst of all, the light given by the massive menorah in the dark tent would have been a powerful symbol of God’s light and holiness in our dark and sinful world. But let’s look at the original lampstand commissioned by God. They are a shadow, a pattern of what was to come in the Messiah. “…For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is, the Messiah has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” Hebrews 8:5-6īy studying the tabernacle with all its details, we can learn about heavenly things. The book of Hebrews gives us some help on our quest, reminding us in chapter 8 that all the items God told Moses to make “serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” It might seem strange to our ears sometimes, but if we are willing to “seek diligently” as the two central words of the Torah say, then we can find some wonderful truths hidden in God’s law. Every tiny detail has been considered to perfection. When we see the instructions that God gives to Moses on how precisely to build the tabernacle, we are struck by the incredible amount of detail involved. On one branch are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a ring of outer leaves and petals likewise on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a ring of outer leaves and petals and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah… Make seven lamps for the menorah, and mount them so as to give light to the space in front of it.” (verses 31-37, Complete Jewish Bible) It is to have six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on one side of it and three on the other. ![]() It is to be made of hammered work its base, shaft, cups, ring of outer leaves and petals are to be of one piece with it. It first appears in Exodus chapter 25, as God instructs them how to make it: ![]() Perhaps the New Covenant has some answers? What is the meaning of the menorah? But historians don’t really know why this symbol rather than any other. For millennia, it was the symbol of the people of Israel, long before the Star of David. If you look at the ancient buildings and archaeological findings in Israel, you will notice that the symbol of the menorah appears time and time again.
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