14 October Numbers 8

The Lampstand

Numbers 8:1-4 (NIV) “The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’” Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.”

The lampstand was designed to resemble a golden tree. It had three branches on each side and one in the middle. Jesus represents the trunk in the middle, while the six branches represent all believers in Christ.

John 15:1-4 (NIV)“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”.

With Christ in the centre, there were seven complete lights. The lampstand was perfectly balanced, with three branches on each side, symbolising harmony. Through Jesus, we have peace with God. However, any branch that doesn't stay connected to Jesus is cut off. John 15:5-7 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”.

The branches had three symbols: buds, flowers, and almonds. The buds stand for the potential of life in Christ, the flowers show the beauty of that life, and the almonds represent the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”.

In conclusion, the lampstand in Numbers 8 is a powerful symbol of God’s plan for His people. Just as the lampstand was designed with balance, beauty, and purpose, our lives in Christ are meant to reflect harmony and light. Jesus, as the central trunk, holds everything together, and through Him, we find peace with God. Like the branches of the lampstand, we are called to remain connected to Christ, for apart from Him, we cannot bear fruit. As John 15 reminds us, only by abiding in Him can we grow and flourish spiritually, producing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more. Let us strive to stay rooted in Christ, allowing Him to shape us into vessels of His light and love, bearing fruit that honours God and blesses others.