Exodus 25:37
You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Exodus 25:31-40 and Revelation 21:22-26
The Golden Lampstand was to be hammered into shape and made of pure gold. So unlike the Ark of the Covenant and the Table of Showbread, the lamp stand was not made of acacia wood and then coated with pure gold. It was constructed of only pure gold. This would indicate to us that this is purely divine.
We aren’t told the exact dimensions of the lamp stand but God did tell Moses to use one talent of pure gold (Ex 25:39). A talent was approximately 75 pounds. The lamp stand had a center column with six branches extending from it on each side. Each branch resembled the branches on an almond tree having ornamental knobs that ended in a stylized flower at the top.
The almond tree blooms very early in the Middle East, in late January or February symbolizing to the Israelites that God is quick to fulfill his promises. Being the first tree to bloom, the almond tree also points to Jesus. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). Paul calls Christ the “firstfruits” because Jesus was the first to rise from the dead to everlasting life. And because of Jesus’ resurrection, all believers will also be raised.
The lamp stand was made of one piece, as Paul tells us in Colossians chapter one that Christ is one with His church. Recall that the number six represents man and the number seven represents completion. Thus the six branches of the lamp stand plus the main shaft equals seven lights telling us that man is only complete in Christ. Paul sums this up for us again in Colossians: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him” (Col 2:9-10).
This lamp stand was located in the Holy Place along with the Table of Showbread. It was on the south side of the room which would place it opposite the Table of Showbread. We know the function of a lamp stand is to provide light. This would be the only source of light inside the Holy Place. There were no windows or other light sources in the Holy Place. If you wanted to see inside the Holy Place, then it was the lamp stand that gave you the ability to do so.
This reminds me of several Scriptures that indicate the lamp stand symbolizes God’s word. The Psalmist tells us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). And as Christ-followers, we are to live a godly life and tell the world of what God has done for us: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:14-16).
The lamp stand was an oil lamp. Each of the flower-shaped cups held a measure of olive oil and a cloth wick. When the wick becomes saturated with oil, it would be lit and give off a small flame. The priests were to keep the lamps burning continually symbolizing God’s everlasting giving of life and light to His people.
The apostle John saw a new heaven and new earth after the first heaven and earth had passed away. The New Jerusalem would be the new city where God would dwell with His people. John tells us, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Rev 21:22-23).
Christ in the Old Testament 
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