Numbers 8:1 - Meaning and Application

Directions had already been given for making the gold lampstand (Exodus 25:31), and it was made exactly as God had shown Moses on the mountain (Exodus 38:17). But now the lamps were first ordered to be lit, when the tabernacle was being put into regular use.

Notice, first, who was to light the lamps. Aaron himself did it (Numbers 8:3). As the people's representative before God, he served in God's house as a servant, lighting his Master's lamp. As God's representative to the people, he showed them God's will and favor, as in this blessing, "The Lord make his face shine upon you" (Numbers 6:25). The commandment is a lamp (Proverbs 6:23). Scripture is a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). The church would be very dark without it, just as the tabernacle, which had no window, would have been dark without the lamps.

The work of ministers is to light these lamps by explaining and applying God's word. The priest lit the middle lamp from the fire on the altar, and then he lit the other lamps from that one. Mr. Ainsworth says this shows that the fountain of all light and knowledge is in Christ, who has the seven spirits of God pictured by the seven lamps of fire (Revelation 4:5). It also shows that, when Scripture is explained, one passage should give light to another. He also thinks that the seven branches of the lampstand, since seven is a number of perfection, picture the full completeness of Scripture, which is able to make us wise for salvation.

Second, notice why the lamps were lit. They were to give light opposite the lampstand, that is, toward the side of the tabernacle where the table stood with the bread of the Presence on it. They were not lit like candles sealed in a jar so they would burn only for themselves. They were lit to shine on the rest of the tabernacle, because that is what candles are for (Matthew 5:15). The lights of the world, the lights of the church, must shine as lights. We receive light so that we may give light.