Leviticus 24:4
He shall tend the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD continually.
He shall tend the lamps
This phrase refers to the priestly duty of maintaining the lamps of the menorah, a seven-branched lampstand, in the Tabernacle. The tending of the lamps involved trimming the wicks and refilling the oil to ensure they burned continuously. This duty was a part of the daily rituals performed by the priests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a constant light, symbolizing God's presence and guidance. The act of tending the lamps can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teaching of being the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

on the pure gold lampstand
The lampstand, or menorah, was crafted from a single piece of pure gold, as instructed in Exodus 25:31-40. Its design was intricate, featuring almond blossoms, buds, and flowers, symbolizing life and growth. The use of pure gold signifies the holiness and purity required in the worship of God. Gold, being a precious metal, also reflects the value and sacredness of the divine presence. The menorah's design and material point to the beauty and perfection of God's creation and His divine light.

before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that the lampstand was placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, directly outside the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This positioning signifies that the light from the lampstand was to shine in the presence of God, symbolizing His eternal light and truth. The concept of being "before the LORD" underscores the idea of living and serving in God's presence, a theme that runs throughout Scripture, calling believers to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

continually
The word "continually" highlights the perpetual nature of the lampstand's light, which was to burn from evening until morning (Exodus 27:20-21). This continuous light represents God's unending presence and faithfulness to His people. It also foreshadows the eternal light of Christ, who is described as the light of the world (John 8:12). The perpetual nature of the light serves as a reminder of the constancy of God's covenant and His unwavering commitment to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Leviticus, who received the laws and instructions from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Aaron
The high priest, responsible for tending the lamps as part of his priestly duties.

3. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where the lampstand was located.

4. The Lampstand (Menorah)
A pure gold lampstand with seven branches, symbolizing the light of God’s presence.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commanded the continual tending of the lamps.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Continual Worship
The command to tend the lamps continually underscores the importance of ongoing worship and devotion to God. Just as the lamps were to burn without ceasing, our worship and relationship with God should be constant and unwavering.

Symbolism of Light
The lampstand represents God’s presence and guidance. In our lives, we are called to be lights in the world, reflecting God’s truth and love to those around us.

Priestly Responsibility
Aaron’s duty to tend the lamps highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to maintain the spiritual well-being of their communities. This calls for diligence and faithfulness in ministry.

Purity and Holiness
The pure gold of the lampstand signifies the purity and holiness required in worship. Our lives, like the lampstand, should reflect God’s holiness and purity.

God’s Presence Among His People
The continual light in the tabernacle symbolizes God’s abiding presence with His people. We are reminded that God is always with us, guiding and sustaining us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the continual tending of the lamps in the tabernacle relate to our daily spiritual practices and disciplines?

2. In what ways can we, as believers, serve as lights in our communities, reflecting the presence of God?

3. What responsibilities do spiritual leaders have today that parallel Aaron’s duty to tend the lamps?

4. How can we ensure that our worship remains pure and holy, as symbolized by the pure gold lampstand?

5. How does the concept of God’s continual presence, as represented by the lampstand, provide comfort and guidance in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25:31-40
Provides the detailed instructions for making the lampstand, emphasizing its design and purpose.

1 Samuel 3:3
Mentions the lamp of God in the tabernacle, highlighting its significance in maintaining God’s presence.

Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus speaks of believers as the light of the world, drawing a parallel to the lampstand’s role in the tabernacle.

Revelation 1:12-13
Describes the vision of the Son of Man among the lampstands, symbolizing the churches and their witness.
Everlasting LightR.M. Edgar Leviticus 24:1-4
Ourselves as LightsW. Clarkson Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lighting of the SanctuaryJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lights in the SanctuaryR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:1-4
The CandlestickR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:2-4
Christ a Comforting PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence BreadF. H. WhiteLeviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the SanctuaryHenry, MatthewLeviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their MeaningJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and LifeA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its FurnitureJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of ChristJ. H. Holford, M. A.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His ChurchJohn Gill, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of FacesGeorge Junkin, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
People
Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Arrange, Candlestick, Continually, Gold, Lamps, Lampstand, Lights, Order, Pure, Support, Tended
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 24:4

     4333   gold

Leviticus 24:2-4

     5373   lamp and lampstand

Leviticus 24:3-4

     5445   potters and pottery

Library
The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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