How Important Is The Light?

The Lord said to Moses, “Give Aaron the following instructions: When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.” [Numbers 8.1-2]

I mean, really, does it matter?

The answer to that question is, "Yes, it matters."

Just for kicks, if the lampstand represents the Word of God and the oil in it represent the Spirit of God, then there is very much something for us to consider here!

As I understand the arrangement of the Holy Place where the lampstand is located, the lampstand is on one side of the room and the table with the Bread of the Presence in on the opposite side. Between them, again, as I understand it, is the altar of incense.

It would naturally be necessary for the light of the lampstand to be directed to shine across the room. However, in doing so, some really cool symbolism is seen.

If the altar of incense represents the prayers of God's people, it is very much necessary for the prayers of God's people to be directly "in the light" of God's Word and His Spirit! In other words, our prayers need to find their substance in God's Word and Spirit - they need to be illuminated by God's Word and Spirit.

But then, on across the room is the table with the Bread of the Presence. If Jesus is the Bread of Life, then perhaps there is something to the "light" shining directly toward Jesus. Perhaps there is something to the prayers of God's people casting shadows in the direction of the Savior. Perhaps there is something to the prayers being located right between God's Word and Spirit and His Son. Perhaps there is something to the prayers being centrally located and, no doubt, nearest to the area where the curtain was torn at Jesus' death on the cross making the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place one.

All three articles in the Holy Place are important. But we must understand that the lampstand providing the light might just be the most important, because, without it, nothing else can be seen.

Oh my! Without the light of the Word of God and His Spirit, our prayers are unseen and Jesus Himself is unseen! Now, how important is the direction of the light?

I may be completely wrong here, but it excites me that God has a plan for everything! And His plan always reveals more than face value. How awesome is that?

Father, thank You for speaking to my heart this morning. I know my prayers are important, but I also know that unless it is Your Word and Your Spirit illuminating the way, my prayers and even Jesus are in the dark as it concerns me.