Worship - 01 August

Welcome! On Monday we looked at the showbread. We saw that God had the priests place the bread onto the table in a specific way. It was to be done once a week. The priests were to eat the bread in the holy place, separated from the holy of Holies (and God’s presence) by a veil. Today we will look at the Golden Lampstand (candlestick).

The Lampstand was placed on the south side of the holy place. It was the only source of light for the holy place.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. 3 Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord regularly. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 4 He shall arrange the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold before the Lord regularly. Lev 24:1-4 (ESV)

The lamp was to be filled with pure oil from beaten olives. It was to be lit from evening to morning – no darkness for the holy place. And again, it was Aaron’s responsibility to keep it lit: a priestly duty.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  John 1:1-5,9 (ESV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  Eph 5:6-10 (ESV)

The lampstand in the holy place was a foreshadowing of the true light of the world, Jesus Christ. He is the life and the light of mankind, and there is no way for darkness (Satan) to overcome the light of Christ. The lampstand was the only light in the holy place, just as Jesus is the only light in this dark world.

As followers of Christ, we are to bring His light into the world. When we show His light to mankind, we live out our worship in practical ways.

How is your worship? Do you show the light of Christ to those you meet, or are you ashamed? Do your friends see Christ in you, and do you worship Him by giving Him honor and praise to everyone you can?

The tabernacle has given us so much insight into the way we should worship.

There is one door that leads to our salvation.

We must accept the gift of the once-for-all blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

We must cleanse our hands by asking for forgiveness for our sins.

Once we are a part of Christ’s family, we are members of a royal priesthood.

We enter the presence of God through only one door.

God feeds us through the bread of life – Christ Jesus – and we learn more about Him through our study of Scripture.

Jesus is the light of the world; the way of salvation. Our worship should include showing His light to everyone we meet.

I pray that these Scriptures will sink deep into your heart as you ponder worshiping God as He wants us to. On Friday we will look at the final piece of furniture in the holy place – the Altar of Incense. See you then!