'Rightly Dividing the Word'
Golden Lampstand
Exo 25:31-32,37 "You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side... You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it."
The golden lampstand was made of pure gold having three branches on each side. It looks like the traveller's palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) with branches only at two sides of the tree.
The priest would trim the wicks of the seven lamps to ensure the continuous fire to light up the Holy Place. In Hebrew the lampstand is known as the 'menorah'
Since our Lord was the olive tree, He had provided the olive oil for every believer who is crafted into Him.
Rom 11:16-17 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
The Light of the World
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Our Lord Jesus was the light of the world because of His good and righteous works. We thank God that when we follow Him in doing good works we too will have the light of life to lead us to abundant life and perfection and also to guide others to salvation and holiness.
John 10:32 Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"
Good Works of Christians
Mat 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Just like the priest having to trim the wicks of the lamp, each Christian must trim the wick of his lamp to give continuous light by his continuous good works.
Just like Jesus, we can only be the light of the world when the world can see our good works. Having seen our good works, the world can only glorify the Father in heaven by believing Jesus and accept the gospel of Christ.
Note: Since every Christian is saved to do good works, so whoever, lacks continuous good works may not even be saved in the first place. Maybe these are just religious people without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, though they preach and teach the Bible in the flesh.
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Enlightenment in Holy Place
1. Eating the Showbread
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
When we keep the words and commandments of Jesus, it is like the priest eating the unleavened showbread (pure word of God) at the golden table.
2. Receiving the Olive Oil
John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever."
Having kept His words, our Lord promised that He will give us another Helper the Spirit of truth (anointing or olive oil for the lamps)
3. The Light from the Oil
John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."
The Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth (oil became light) so that we can understand His will. With the truth we will be able to overcome the devil's wicked schemes and also our own weaknesses and bondages.
