The Seven-Branched Lampstand
Exodus 25:31-40
"The lampstands are the seven ecclesias" (Rev. 1:20)

OPPOSITE the Table of shewbread stood the golden seven-branched lampstand and its instruments. It was made from one piece of pure gold (v.31), and was beaten into the shape of the pattern shown to Moses. Its design embodied a central stem with 6 branches (three on each side) which proceeded out of the stem (v.32). Each branch incorporated the same characteristic features of the central stem, with three sets of bowls, knops and flowers (v.33). The central stem differed in that it had four sets (vv. 34-35). The total weight was one talent (v.39) or approx. 130 lbs.

On top of the stem and each branch were golden lamps (v.37) totaling seven. Their lights were produced by burning pure olive oil (Exod. 27:20). The olives were supplied by Yahweh but Israelites had gathered and crushed them (Lev. 24:1-2), and had extracted and purified the oil so produced. An old custom for doing so was to cause the oil to pass through the heat of boiling water.

It was the duty of the priests to dress and replenish these lamps twice daily (Lev. 24:1-4; Exod 27:21) so that the lights shone forth powerfully and continually. To "dress the lamps" (Exod. 30:7-8) means "to cause to brighten up." Apart from the lights of the Lampstand, the Holy Place was a place of darkness, for due to the construction of the Tabernacle, all natural light was excluded. And apart from the continuous dressing of the lamps and replenishing of the oil the lights of the Lampstand would cease their shining. However, so long as it gave out adequate light the place was illuminated, enabling the priests to perform their daily service in the Holy Place.

This was the glory seen in the "face of Jesus Christ". Through him Yahweh caused His light of truth and salvation to shine for all to see (Matt. 4:16; Luke 2:32; John l:4,5,9,~4; 8:12; 9:5; 12;46, etc.). The people "who dwelt in darkness" and "saw that great light", were those who heard and recognized his teachings as being his Father's Word of Truth expressed and displayed.

Jesus found it necessary to constantly replenish his supply of "oil". His use of Scripture showed how he meditated therein. The light shone out powerfully in the darkness of heresy and unbelief, because he daily replenished the oil by resorting to fellowship and communication with that Great Source of Wisdom and Truth and Light: his own Father in the heavens.

In the verse before us (John. 15:1), Jesus described himself as the true vine. He includes his disciples in the description, for they were his "branches". He is a vine which has developed into many branches and he and his branches, as members of his one body, constitute the complete vine (I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:12-16). His branches, or members, are extensions &)f himself for the purpose of bearing fruit in themselves for the pleasure of the Husbandman.

The branches of his lampstand-body, being identified with him, are identical in function and purpose, and therefore like him in their compliance with the Divine "pattern". They are of the same material as he was and are influenced by similar experiences. Those things that helped to develop the Lord Jesus Christ, as the central stem, will be experienced also by his member-branches, if to a lesser extent. Like him they must also pass through the "fiery trial" of affliction (1 Cor. 3:13; Pet. 1:7; 4:12). Thus they are able to become Light-bearers of Divine truth. This is done in conjunction with the other members of the one body (1 Cor. 12:12-13,27).

The Hebrew word for Lampstand in Exod. 25:31 is in the feminine gender. It signifies a gleaming frame. We are reminded of the description of the bride of Christ (Psa. 45:13), and recognize in the union of marriage a beautiful illustration of the one body.

The Seven Branches

The seven branches represent completeness. Christ's "body" is now being completed by the "grafting in" of its selected members. This is the background of Rev. 4:5 where a complete Ecclesia is represented as "seven lamps of fire" witnessing for Divine truth.

Isaiah 11:1-2 presents an interesting description of the seven branched lampstand. First (v.1), the central Rod, the Lord Jesus Christ, is represented, termed "The Spirit of Yahweh". Then there is described the branches issuing forth from him thus:

These are the "golden" qualities which saints, as branches, must manifest in the "pattern" of their characters. The full development requires considerable discipline, affliction, or "beating" to produce it. The trial of faith is essential to that end, but it will be found, at the coming of (Christ, worthy of praise, honour and glory (1 Pet. 1:7).

The purpose of the unity we have in Christ as described by Isaiah (Ch. 11:1 2) is for the present and ultimate extension of Divine truth and character throughout the world. Yahweh commenced this work in His son, by planting a "seed" (Psa. 80:15) and watering it, so assisting it to develop into the true vine, bringing forth pleasant fruit to the delight of his Father.

Branches spread out from this vine which have much in common with it. Nevertheless, as branches, they arc dependent upon what the central stem can supply. There is greater capacity inherent in the Vine Stem that enables it to be the bearer of all the branches and their fruit.

How important it is to follow the exhortation of the Lord (John 15:4) that the branches should "abide in him". This does not express the idea of "resting" but of drawing on him, and expending oneself to produce fruit (Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:16). That involves the labor of study and application of God's Word (Psa. 119:97). In the symbology of the Lampstand it relates to the storing of oil in our vessels. But oil alone is not light. It needs to have heat applied to it to produce illumination. When the heat of effort and energy is applied to the labor of learning God's Word, Truth will become light in us (Eph. 5:8,13; Phil. 2:15). That is the purpose of the Word (Psa. 119:105,130). Saints are exhorted to shine as lights by its use (John 12:36; 1 Thess. 5:5). The means God has chosen for the manifestation of His light in these days of darkness, is first in the illumination of our minds. He has "shined in our hearts (minds) to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Cor. 4:6).

His Truth is in us as in "earthen vessels" so that the light emanating from each will be recognized by contrast to be more than that of mere fleshly learning. Hence, an otherwise dark place is lightened as it was in the days of our Lord in Israel.

Such a "shining" is not possible if we are in fellowship with the darkness of unbelief and error that exists in the world outside the Ecclesial dwelling place From such there must be separation (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 1:7). No natural light was able to penetrate the Holy Place from outside. So the wisdom of this world; the "natural" "religions" of its people; the so-called knowledge of its learned (religious or otherwise) must be excluded from the Ecclesia. The Word of Truth in teaching and practice actively manifested by living and faithful believers, is the light which now "shines in a dark place" (2 Pet. 1:19)

The light produced in the lampstand was neither perpetual nor spontaneous as was the light which was to be seen between the Cherubim in the Most Holy Place. That light was a symbol of the light that belongs to our future state of perfection. Meanwhile, the light of the Ecclesia today, like that in the Holy Place, requires constant, daily renewal of oil from the inspired Word.

Hence we are encouraged to give daily attention to the reading and meditation of the Word (Psa. 119:97), because it is our only source of enlightenment and we are in constant need of it.

The Lampstand light was seven fold; a symbol of completion. It gave out light that was perfect for the purpose intended of it. That purpose, for this present day, is to be seen within the Holy Place Ecclesia. Like the golden Lampstand that reflected every gleam of light, each member of an Ecclesia is called upon to co-operate in providing a general illumination and reflection of the Divine revelation in word and character. Just as the illuminated walls and furniture of the Holy Place made it an enlightened place in which the priests were able to perform their tasks, so the Ecclesia is a place of light and beauty and glory in which Yahweh's servants, the Ecclesial "priests", are enabled to serve with joy and gladness in the light of Yahweh's truth revealed and reflected in every member.

Do we individually contribute in that way within the Ecclesia in today's wilderness wanderings (1 John 1:7)?

The branches of the Light-body, the members of his Ecclesia through the ages, await the time of their glorification when they, too, will be made suitable vessels for the eternal display of Yahweh's truth and judgments in the earth.