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[This Menorah contains approximately 60 Kilos of pure gold. Even with that amount of gold it is hollow. It is currently on display in the Cardo in Jerusalem] |
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[This Menorah contains approximately 60 Kilos of pure gold. Even with that amount of gold it is hollow. It is currently on display in the Cardo in Jerusalem] |
Exodus 25:31-37
And thou shalt make a candlestick (lamp stand) of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
DESIGNED AND DIRECTED BY GOD
Flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms. The design is patterned after an almond tree, the first tree in the area to blossom in the spring. It was of divine design. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.
The Menorah was part of the Tabernacle designer furnishings. These were the (1) Ark of the Covenant. (2) The Lamp-stand or Menorah. (3) The Table of Showbread. (4) The Incense Altar. (5) The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering. These five furnishings are designed to show the Symbolism of God’s redemptive covenant preserved in the Tabernacle making each object each element an object lesson for the worshipper’s in the wilderness.
DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRIESTS
They were to ensure that the light of the Menorah was continually burning and shining brightly at all times. Both in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple the light of the Menorah reflected the gold overlays with exquisite beauty which could be clearly seen.
Believer’s are to let their light so shine that people will see that light and glorify your Father in heaven. Same design, same plan, same implication.
DELIGHTFUL DUTY OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
The Priest’s tendered to and trimmed the Lamp-stand continually. Pure Olive Oil was collected and supplied by all the people. ‘And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.’ Priest and people were workers together for the glory of the Lord. As it was then, so it is today. Faith without works is absolutely dead, whilst responsibility and duty in the Lord’s work is the evidence of consecrated Christian living.
It is a beautiful truth that the gathering of the Olive became a meaningful activity for the whole family when young and old centred their attention on the importance of fulfilling the purposes of God in this matter for the centrality of the light in Israel was crucial.
DEEP SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OLIVE
It is frequently mentioned in Scripture. Often it would speak of life, or peace and new hope. At the time of the flood Noah was more than pleased to receive the gentle dove flying above the water carrying a small Olive branch. It symbolised and heralded a new day, a new beginning.
Olive oil was used for light as in the Menorah. Olive oil was used for the anointing of the Kings of Israel as a testimony to the light and power of the Lord by His Spirit.
The Olive tree itself has a special message Zechariah chapter 4 speaks of Jewish and Gentile branches of the Olive. Then answered I, and said unto him, what are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, what be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then said he, these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Paul in Romans 11 continues the eternal theme. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive
tree … We should forget ‘Replacement theology’ for it is clearly unscriptural.
DANCING COLOURS OF THE WIND
Our Lord Jesus Christ likened the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit to the mysteries of, and the location of the wind. Where does the wind come from, where is it going? The Work of the Holy Spirit is now in operation in the Nation of Israel and in the Worldwide Church.
When the wind blows the foliage of the Olive tree moves and rustles by its invisible power. The whole tree comes alive with colour and with light. The leaves of the tree are a wonderful dark green on top whilst the underside of the leaves are shimmering silver in colour – the whole tree shimmers with light when the ‘Wind’ blows.
Look at the words of Jesus. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3.8 He also pointedly said, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9.5
All men have the opportunity in these closing days of time of knowing the Messiah of Israel as the Saviour indeed as the light and life of their Salvation.
DARKNESS CAN BE DISPELLED
Isaiah 60:1-3 reveals the prophetic message that Israel was the nation chosen of the Lord to give light to all nations. ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD
shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
Matthew 24 is a vivid canvas showing the picture of the ‘Signs of the End of the Age.’
Biblical prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes today. Christians are aware of its precise accuracy. I see evidence in the city of Leeds my home town and major area of my ministry. Matthew 24 should be compulsive reading for all men. What is written will certainly happen down to the last detail.
Our Lord Jesus Christ knows the heart and mind of all men He also knows the structures and individual stones which make up the areas in which men live. They were built to last, but are destined to fall. We are reminded of His words regarding the Temple in Matthew 24.2 ‘Not one stone will be left on another.’ Titus completely destroyed the Temple in AD 70 when stones were literally prised apart to collect the gold leaf that melted from the roof when the temple was set on fire. Excavations in 1968 uncovered large numbers of these stones, toppled from the walls by the invaders. I was shown some of these stones when visiting Jerusalem and other areas of Israel. The Lord can make stones to talk and to praise His Name.
DECLARATION OF THE EXILED MENORAH
The destruction of the Temple and the consequent scattering of the people of Israel resulted in the emblem of the Menorah being taken to every country in which they settled. In the Jewish family home the Menorah represented faith, hope and the future.
To the future day when the light would shine again from Israel the land of revelation and redemption and the geographical location to which our Lord Jesus Christ will return.
The official emblem of Israel is the Menorah depicting an Olive branch on either side it was given as a gift to the nation on the occasion of their independence by the people and government of Great Britain. Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Page created 4 January 2007