The lighting of the sanctuary. The face of Moses is glorious in the light of the gospel. I. THE CANDLESTICK WAS AN EMBLEM OF THE CHURCH OF GOD . (See Revelation 1:20 .) 1 . The candlestick in the holy place was one. 2 . It carried seven lamps. 3 . The candlestick was of pure gold. This was to express the preciousness of the saints. II. THE LIGHT IN THE CHURCHES IS THE WORD OF GOD . This may be taken in kindred senses. ... read more
Ourselves as lights. There can be no doubt that the seven-branched candlestick in the holy place was typical of the Hebrew Church as the source of heavenly light. We therefore reach the subject of— I. LIGHT DIVINELY KINDLED . All light must be of God, who himself is light ( 1 John 1:5 ). He has sought to illumine the human world in more ways than one. 1 . He has given us the light of our spiritual nature—our reason, our conscience; "the spirit of man is the candle (lamp) of... read more
The lights in the sanctuary. Pure oil furnished by the people. The high priest responsible for the maintenance of the lamps. Pure oil, pure lamps, pure candlestick, before the Lord continually. The main lessons are these— I. PROGRESSIVE , CONTINUAL SANCTIFICATION of God's people provided for by his grace. 1 . By the supply of the Spirit, the pure oil. 2 . In and through the lamps that is, the individual and positive manifestation of the spiritual life. 3 . In... read more
The lamps of the seven-branched candlestick burnt throughout the whole night in the tabernacle; and the shewbread was constantly set forth upon the golden table. They may be taken to symbolize: 1 . The constant illumination vouchsafed by God to his Church through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 2 . The spiritual food constantly supplied by him in his Church to those who come in faith to have their wants supplied. 1 . I. ILLUMINATION BY THE SPIRIT WAS PROMISED BY ... read more
The candlestick. To many the regulations of Leviticus seem a cryptograph to which they have no key. To others, an inscription of old date with no reference to present concerns. Yet, dull-eyed must we be if we can discern no lessons for ourselves in the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture. The Hebrew can be translated into modern English, the Law stated in terms of the gospel. The tabernacle was the meeting-place of God with his people. It was his house, where his servants... read more
The shewbread, or bread of the face, that is, of the presence, was to be made of fine flour , that is, of wheat, and to consist of twelve cakes or loaves, to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, each loaf containing upward of six pounds of flour. The loaves were placed upon the pure table before the Lord ; that is, on the golden table of shewbread within the sanctuary—which stood not far from the vail which partitioned off the holy of holies—toward the north, as the candlestick was... read more
The weekly offering. cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2 ; 1 Timothy 5:17 , 1 Timothy 5:18 . Along with the everlasting light from the golden candlestick, there was to be in the holy place a presentation of bread, which was made on the sabbath and lay before the Lord on the prescribed table all the week, becoming the property and support of the priests when they brought the fresh loaves on the succeeding sabbath. The loaves were to be twelve in number, to correspond to the tribes of Israel; they... read more
The bread of the presence. As there was light on the candlestick in God's house, so was there bread on his table. It was called the "shewbread," literally, "bread of faces," or of the presence, viz. of Jehovah. Let us consider— I. ITS DESCRIPTION . 1 . It was composed of fine flour. 2 . It was measured in tenths. 3 . The number of the loaves was twelve. II. WHAT WAS DONE WITH IT . 1 . It was placed upon the table before the Lord. 2 . A ... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 24:1-4
Everlasting light. cf. Revelation 1:12-20 ; also Psalms 43:3 . The holy place, like the most holy, had no windows, and consequently required illumination. This was secured by the golden candlestick, with its seven lamps. These were to be always emitting some light. If all the seven lamps were not lit during the daytime, one or two of them were. The idea carried out was that there should be in God's sanctuary everlasting light. That the candlestick was taken as the symbol of God's ... read more