We started to learn about the significance of the Menorah, the seven branched candlestick that God said had to be made as one of the items of furniture in the Tabernacle. We learned that God called His Jewish people to be a light to the nations and that Jesus called His followers to also be a light to the world and He went even further by declaring Himself to be THE Light of the world who could lead people out of darkness. In this program well learn about the design of the Menorah, its significance and how important they are for us.
Why did the Menorah have to have seven branches?
There are lots of significant numbers in the Bible, but number seven is probably the most notable. It’s God’s number, that’s common knowledge. It’s the number of completion and with regard to the Menorah, although it has seven branches, it’s made from one piece. It’s been likened to being seven in one, like a rainbow or a week. Seven colours make one rainbow, seven days make one week. The Menorah in the Tabernacle and later on in the Temples was to represent the presence of God among and in the midst of the people. Revelation confirms this when it says that at the end of all things, neither a lamp or the sun will be needed because God Himself who ‘IS” Light, will provide the light for us.
Revelation 22:5, ‘There will no longer be any night; and they won’t have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.’
Remember that everything in the Tabernacle is a type, a shadow or the reality that’s already in heaven.
What about this next passage in Revelation 1, that describes the seven churches as individual lamps and that in the midst of them was the Son of God in His glory. What made the lamps of the churches light? The presence of God within them.
Revelation 1:12-13, ‘Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash’….the passage goes on to the end of the chapter describing Jesus in great detail and then the last verse confirms that the lampstands are the churches…’As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.’
Why are they described as lampstands? Because we’re supposed to be a light to the world.
Another element that’s important regarding seven branched design of the Menorah is the fact that it has branches. In Jewish tradition, the Menorah is very much likened to a tree and again, in this we see the Messiah.
John 15:4-5, Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can’t do anything.’
Finally, why were the bulbs reminiscent of almond blossoms?
Well, the almond branch was something that Aaron used as a staff and by a miracle of God it budded, bloomed and produced fruit overnight which was God’s demonstration of validating him. (Num 17:1-8) The prophet Jeremiah had a vision of the rod of an almond tree, and when God confirmed that yes, the prophet was in fact seeing the rod of an almond tree, God then said this, “You have seen well, for I’m watching over My word to perform it.” (Jer 1:11-12) Why is this important? Because God works hard to ensure His Word comes to pass, that all His plans are fulfilled.
The Hebrew word for almond is ‘shaked’ and it means to ‘watch’ or to ‘wake’. The almond tree is a very hard working tree, it wakens from its winter sleep before the other springtime trees, it works hard and produces its fruit in tough conditions. The weather in Israel is still harsh and cold in January and February, springtime hasn’t quite arrived and yet the almond tree can often produce fruit even before it’s produced leaves. It’s a very hard working tree…it’s committed to getting its job done.
So in the context of Jeremiah’s prophecy, the almond branch is representing the Word of God, that God Himself is watching over to ensure its fulfilled exactly. The Word of God (Jesus Himself), who indwells us, IS the Light of the World!
Zechariah has a vision in chapter 4:2-5 of two olive trees, one on each side of the seven branched lampstand, the Menorah, and these trees are providing oil for fuel to the lamp. The vision is bewildering to the prophet but the chapter goes on to describe the might and power of God through His spirit. But Paul gives even greater insight because he describes in Romans two olive branches, one wild and one natural being grafted into the natural roots.
Who is the root? Jesus
Who is the natural olive branch? The Jews
Who is the wild olive branch? The Gentiles
What is the source of the Light? The Spirit of God
Why almonds? This is the Word of God, working hard to achieve God’s purposes
The Menorah is the type, the shadow of the reality in heaven…the pure Light of course being God Himself.
Together, Jew and Gentile make up the One New Man that Paul describes in Ephesians 2:15, both with the calling to be lights to the world, because of who they represent.
So why is the Menorah so important and so significant?
It’s the type or shadow of the Messiah, the true Light, working hard and effectively, committed to the fulfillment of His Word, using the branches of Jew and Gentile together to take His light to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in them.
Shalom
Mandy
Based in part on an article at oneforisrael.org
