Imagine yourself as a menorah candle, glowing with the light of God in a world often shrouded in darkness. The menorah, with its seven branches and radiant light, is more than just a symbol or ancient artifact; it represents our role as bearers of God’s light, called to shine brightly and point others to Him. Just as the menorah stood in the innermost darkest room of the Tabernacle and illuminated the Most Holy Place, we too are to stand in this world as radiating lights of God’s love, truth, grace, and power.
Think about it. Have you ever gazed at a menorah or a candle and wondered why it captivates us so? Picture this: a world shrouded in darkness, and suddenly, a flicker of light emerges. That’s the essence of menorah candles – not just wicks and wax, but beacons of hope in a sometimes gloomy world. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating topic of menorah candles, exploring how these ancient symbols can illuminate our modern lives and challenge us to shine brighter than ever before.
The Menorah: A Symbol of Divine Light and Unity
The menorah is a profound image, both in its construction and symbolism. Crafted from a single piece of gold, the menorah was hammered into shape—a testament to the unity and oneness of God. Over 2.6 million dollars worth of pure gold went into shaping the menorah, each part carefully molded from a single, solid piece. This image of unity extends to its spiritual symbolism. The menorah is often seen as a representation of the Word or the Torah, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. The book of Revelation speaks of the seven lampstands representing the Church (ekklesia), each lampstand a part of His unified body with Jesus as the center and head. This unity reflects God’s ultimate plan: that all of creation, Jew, Gentile, and the whole universe is to be united in Him—“all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).
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The Menorah and the Tree of Life: Edenic Imagery and Symbolism
The design of the menorah itself is rich with Edenic imagery. It mirrors the tree of life with its almond blossoms, buds, and branches. These branches, six in total, represent humanity, and all point to the central stem, which symbolizes the perfect man, Jesus.
Why almond blossoms? Almonds first appear in the story of Aaron’s rod budding with almond blossoms, signifying God’s anointed one and His authority over rebellious forces (Numbers 17:8). The Hebrew word for almond, “shaqed,” comes from a root meaning “diligent.” In Jeremiah 1:12, God uses this wordplay, saying He is watching diligently over His Word to perform it. Almonds, therefore, represent God’s determination and passion to see His plans fulfilled.
This Edenic imagery of the menorah as a tree of life connects to the ultimate restoration we see in Revelation, where God and humanity walk in perfect unity once again. A new Heaven and Earth will have no night, not even the need for a sun, because God Himself will be the light (Revelation 21:23). Yet, this future reality isn’t something we merely wait for; we are called to be “mini-lights” right now, shining in the darkness and guiding others to Jesus, the true Light of the world (John 8:12).
The Menorah and the High Priest Blessing: Raising Up the Light
There is a fascinating phrasing regarding the lighting of the menorah lamps. Instead of simply saying, “light the lamps,” Scripture says that Moses or Aaron must “raise up its lamps” (Numbers 8:2). This unique wording isn’t accidental; it invites us to ponder its deeper meaning. The menorah was always positioned to face Yahweh (יהוה), drawing our attention to passages like Numbers 6:26 and Psalm 4:6. These verses are part of the High Priest’s blessing: “May יהוה raise up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Here, we see a parallel between God lifting His face upon His people and the act of raising the lamps. The brilliant light of His face brings a peace that surpasses understanding—a peace so full of power and love that it leaves no doubt of safety, security, and prosperity in His presence.
This imagery suggests that, just as the lamps of the menorah were to be raised and aligned to face Yahweh, we too must focus our gaze upon Him. It is only by beholding the light of His presence that all darkness in our lives is banished. The menorah’s light wasn’t just a physical light but a spiritual reminder to Israel to keep their eyes on God, the source of all true light and life. And to ensure that this light had enough olive oil to burn continually. Exactly as Jesus said in His parable of the five wise and five foolish bridesmaids (virgins) going out to meet the Bridegroom.
Menorah and the Light to the Nations: Dispersed at Babel, Gathered in Messiah
The menorah’s light wasn’t just for Israel; it was a light to the nations dispersed at Babel, those given over to foreign entities or gods. Isaiah 42:6 prophesies that Israel would be a light to the Gentiles, a calling ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who declares Himself the light of the world (John 8:12). In Matthew 5:14, Jesus extends this calling to His followers: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” This command isn’t just a call to action; it’s a declaration of identity. As menorah candles, we shine not because of our light but because of His light within us.
Unity in Diversity: The Olive Trees and the Body of Messiah
The two olive trees that flank the menorah symbolize Jew and Gentile, as mentioned in Romans 11, becoming one in Messiah. These two groups, with different traditions, ways of worship, and cultural expressions, are grafted into one olive tree, representing the richness of God’s diverse yet unified family. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 illustrates the wisdom of allowing these differences to coexist without forcing conformity, acknowledging that God’s family includes a vast array of expressions and traditions.
Yet, looking at today’s reality, with over 45,000 Christian denominations, it’s clear that the Church has struggled to maintain this unity. Imagine what could be accomplished if the Body of Messiah could put aside minor disagreements and unite around the core truth that we love God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And through their presence in our lives, we are empowered to live out the command to love our neighbors as ourselves—a feat impossible on our own but possible through God’s transformative work in our hearts.
The Menorah in the Temple: David’s Greater Vision
David, given a greater vision for the dwelling place of God (Solomon’s Temple), expanded the number of menorahs from one to ten (7 menorah candles multiplied by ten signifying complete perfection). Five menorahs stood on the right and five on the left, as described in 1 Chronicles 28:15 and 2 Chronicles 4:7. This expansion signifies the multiplication of light, suggesting that the more we grow in unity and understanding of God’s love, the more His light is reflected through us. The five and ten again reminds us of Jesus’ parable of five wise virgins who have oil to burn their lights and five foolish who don’t.
Interestingly, silver menorahs are also mentioned in these passages. Silver, often a symbol of redemption in Scripture, adds another layer of meaning. The multiplied light, alongside the symbolism of redemption, points to the expansive and redemptive work God is doing through His people.
Reflecting the True Morning Star
In Exodus 27:20, the word translated as “light” is actually “luminary,” indicating a spiritual being of high rank. The true Morning Star is Jesus, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16). Yet, there is a lesser morning star, traditionally associated with the adversary, who will try to convince many he is the true light through an antichrist or anti-Messiah figure. However, we, as menorah candles, know the true Messiah—Jesus, the Anointed One.
So shine Like Moses and Jesus: Our Call to Action
Just as Moses’ face shone after being in God’s presence (Exodus 34:29-35), we too are called to shine with the light of Jesus. Our light isn’t self-generated; it comes from our connection to the true vine (John 15:5) and our focus on the face of Yahweh. When we allow God’s light to shine through us, we become beacons to the world, drawing others out of darkness and into His marvelous light.
Your Call to Action: Shine today like Moses and Jesus! Know for sure that as you remain walking with Him, that He walks and lives in you as His new temple. This means everywhere you go, He is going too and shining through you as a beacon to the world. Stay connected to Him, focus on His presence, and watch as He transforms you into His image, radiating His love, peace, and truth to all around you.
Did You Know?
The menorah’s seven branches are not only symbolic of spiritual truths but also have practical astronomical significance. Ancient Jewish scholars, like Philo of Alexandria, believed the menorah represented the seven classical planets known in antiquity: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Each branch of the menorah corresponded to one of these celestial bodies, symbolizing God’s sovereignty over all creation, including the heavens. This connection between the menorah and the cosmos reflects a deeper understanding that God’s light and order permeate the entire universe, not just the earthly realm.
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