Exodus 25:31-40

Verse 31-40, And thou shalt make a candlestick 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. {32} 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: {33} 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. {34} And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. {35} 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. {36} Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. {37} And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. {38} And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. {39} Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. {40} And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.

I.    Description:

A.  Draw a likeness of the finished candlestick.

1.   I believe it is important to understand the difference between the candlestick shown here and the candlestick in Rev. 1:13.

2.   The candlestick described here is "flat looking" with each separate candlestick coming from a main center staff.

3.   The candlestick described in Rev. 1:13 is circular in appearance with each separate candlestick coming from a main center staff.

4.   They are different because God works through Israel different than the way He works through His local churches.

B.   Beaten work - Christ suffered to bring the light to us.

II.   Purpose.

A.  To give light - no windows in the tabernacle (Christ is the light of the Holy of Holiest).

1.   Christ is the true light of the world.

2.   We not only need food, (The Table of Shewbread), but light.

3.   Compare Genesis 1:3 and 1:14-16 - It is interesting to note that God created light before He created the sun, moon and stars.

a.   Light was created on the first day and the sun, moon and stars were created on the fourth day.

b.   The sun, moon and stars were created to reflect the true light of the world, Jesus Christ.

B.   A symbol showing that the Jews hold the light of the world.

1.   During this time, God is dealing with the world through the Israelite nation.

2.   Israel will eventually rebel against God, and He will remove His candlestick from them and give it to His Gentile churches.

3.   Rev. 1:20 - These candlesticks represent the 7 churches of Asia - showing that the churches hold the light of the world during the church age.

4.   Much church truth is obscured by people trying to see the church or churches when they ought to see Christ.

III. Vessels of candlestick.

A.  Made of pure gold - representing the pure glory of God which cleanses us continually.

B.   Tongs - To trim the lamps so they can put out the best light.

1.   Sin in our lives needs constant cleansing so we can give the very best light.

C.   Snuff dishes - not for spit.

1.   Put the char removed from the wick by the tongs.

2.   Don't throw on floor to defile the Holy Place - dispose of properly.

3.   Don't leave our sins laying around on the church house floor, but dispose of them properly forgive and forget.