In our previous article we looked at the Ark and the Most Holy Place, today we’re looking at the Lamps and the Showbread
Seven Lamps in the Tabernacle
Moses was commanded to make seven lamps in the tabernacle
Ex 25:31 & 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…
You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.
The Seven Lamps are the Seven Spirits of God – the Holy Spirit
Again, we can use John’s revelation to help us understand the articles in the tabernacle.
Rev 1:4 introduces us to the seven Spirits of God
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
Rev 4:5 explains that the seven Spirits are seven Lamps burning before the throne.
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Isa 11:2 explains the Seven Spirits of God – the person of the Holy Spirit and His Manifestations
The (1) Spirit of יהוה shall rest upon Him (Messiah), The Spirit of (2) wisdom and (3) understanding, The Spirit of (4) counsel and (5) might, The Spirit of (6) knowledge and of (7) the fear of יהוה.
Once you know these manifestations of the Holy Spirit, you’ll start finding Him all through the Old Testament:
Ex 31:3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship (might),
Prov 2:1-5 My son, if you take my words to heart and treasure my commands within you, if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of יהוה and you will find the knowledge of God.
Prov 9:10 The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
What are the Lamps Illuminating?
It’s clear the Holy Spirit is closely associated with knowledge, wisdom, understanding and counsel. But knowledge of what? The clue is back in Exodus…
Ex 25:31 & 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…
You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it.
The Holy Spirit shines His light across the tabernacle directly onto the table of showbread.
Ex 40:22-25 He put the table in the tabernacle of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil; and he set the bread in order upon it before יהוה, as יהוה had commanded Moses. He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle; and he lit the lamps before יהוה, as יהוה had commanded Moses.
The lamps are directly across from and are illuminating the showbread. This makes the showbread very important in God’s economy, so what or who is the showbread the Holy Spirit is giving us knowledge about?
The Showbread – Yeshua (Jesus)
John 6:32-35 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:47-51 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
Matt 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
It’s entirely in keeping with this that Yeshua was born in Beit Lechem – Hebrew for House of Bread!
Ex 25:30 And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always (Christ is eternal).
The Holy Spirit (the lamps) shows us Christ (the showbread)
John 16:13-15 “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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”
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.”
The Holy Spirit illuminates Christ giving life and light in the darkness.
What are these attributes of Christ the Holy Spirit is declaring and illuminating for us?
Let’s find out in our next article.