October 18, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Numbers and Colossians? Here’s today’s reading:
Numbers 8 (NIV)
Setting Up the Lamps
1 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.……Continue Reading
Numbers 8
Numbers 8
Numbers 8.
God is holy and so those that were to serve Him would be holy too, set apart from the other Israelites. How special this work would be, but the Israelites were to understand that they were representing them, or at least representing the first born sons. It might be tempting to think the work that is done for God, the priests and for the sacrifices for the people is secondary to the work that is in the world, but that is not the case. Both kinds of work have their place and are pleasing to God. It is interesting that 50 is set as the retirement age. One can wonder to what extent the times frames translated to more secular work as well. That has not made it through the passage of time…
Numbers 7-8
The lamps and lampstands are always significant and mentioned in detail in the OT both in placement and function. They are representative of God’s light to the world and our role in sharing that light to illuminate all He has done. There is always a reminder of the importance of the oil and how it must be filled and wicks trimmed to keep the lamp working. This also stands as a reminder that we can have Christ in us but it is only when we operate in the things of God and follow His path for our lives that His light can really shine through us.
I couldn’t help but draw a connection between the 7 lamps mentioned here and Jesus in Revelation walking among the 7 lamp stands. It makes me think of Hebrews mentioning that the physical tabernacle and temple on earth is a picture of the tabernacle in heaven. The lamp stands are the seven churches. So did God instruct the Israelites to put the 7 lamp stands before the altar as representations of the church that would come in the future? A hint at the mystery.