By Cynthia J. Bourne
37 “Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it.
Exodus 25:37 (NIV)
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “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.’”
3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses.
Numbers 8:1-3 (NIV)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
a light on my path.
What I find most unnerving about night-time driving nowadays, is that not all the major roads are lit up. You could be driving along comfortably seeing all around you and then suddenly you’re plunged into darkness barely able to see the way ahead. The lights receding in your rear-view mirror are of no help to you now.
Here in Exodus and Numbers we see the Lord being very specific as to how He wanted the lamps on the lampstand to be set up. “Turn the lights so they light the way ahead of them.” He instructed.
Whilst it is good to reflect on our past as it helps us navigate the future. However, it is the past and it has passed. The important thing to do now is look for what lies ahead.
In our Christian walk we have to be ever careful of the path we take. We can only do this when we shine a light on what is before us. Our spiritual torchlight is the Word of God. The Psalmist David put it ever so succinctly, “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Without the light of the Word of God we are in danger of taking the wrong path, and as with a car journey, missing the path can sometimes lead to such a long journey back.
The lampstand lit up what would otherwise have been a very dark place and could have caused the priests to stumble. Thank God He has provided us with the light of His Word, so we too do not need to stumble toward Him.
Ask – Why were there seven lamps and why facing forward?
Seek – Are you finding yourself groping through the issues of life? Do you wish things could be a little clearer? Let’s switch the light of God’s Word on our issues and fall to our knees. Things look so much clearer there.
Knock – Thank you, Father, for Your Word. We pray that the glory of your Word will flood our souls and light up our pathway, so we can see more clearly how to live in right standing with you. Amen.
(Upper Photo by Joel Henry on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Leonardo Yip on Unsplash)
