More Than a Lightbulb

Aaron’s instructions were unusual in Numbers 8:2.  “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in the front of the lampstand.’ ”  One might think that the Almighty was instructing Aaron to turn on the light in the room.  It was a dark sanctuary.  There were no windows in the holy tent.  This large space needed a source of light to guide the priests in their work.  A priest could stumble in the darkness and fall. 

So, it would have made sense to light the room.  But instead of giving directions for room lighting, the Almighty’s instructions were to light the face, the center, the paniym of the Menorah.  Paniym means face, although most Bible translations state “front.”  This misleads readers into thinking that the lampstand lit the room.  But, the Menorah was not a simple lamp.  It offered spiritual illumination instead.  

The sanctuary did not require illumination as much as it required the Divine Presence.  The Menorah stood in the sanctuary as a spiritual lesson in light.  By exalting its center branch, the Menorah exalted the center of the universe.  The Messiah Yeshua is at the center of everything, since from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36).  He is the Light of the World, the radiance of the Father’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3).

The new Secrets of the Menorah reveals the significance of spiritual light.  It features discussion questions and an answer key.  May we study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).

Published June 7, 2017

Valerie MoodyComment