Lesson 10
THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK

TEXT: EXODUS 25:31-40; 27:20-21; 30:7-8; 37:17-24; NUMBERS 8:1-4

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
•	The Golden Candlestick was positioned opposite the Golden Table on the south side of the Holy Place. 
•	Rather than burning candles, the Golden Candlestick was more like a lamp stand upon which were seven lighted lamps. 
o	This was a Candlestick having oil lamps, not candles. 
•	In a fulfillment sense, the Church is not just to be a "candle" or to give "candlelight," but it is to be a Lamp stand, casting forth its Divine light by the continual supply of the oil of the Holy Ghost.
•	The primary purpose of the Lamp stand was to give light to its own glory (Exodus 25:37), and, secondly, to illuminate all that was in the Sanctuary.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK: (Exodus 25:31)
	1. THE CANDLESTICK WAS CALLED:
a.	The Candlestick — Exodus 35:14; 40:4,24.
b.	The Candlestick of God — Exodus 25:31.
c.	The Pure Candlestick — Exodus 31:8; 39:37; Leviticus 24:4.
d.	The Lamp of God — 1 Samuel 3:3.
•	As with the Laver, there were no measurements given for the Candlestick. 
o	Both of these pieces of furniture are described without references to their measurements or size, but both were constructed wholly of metal. 
o	The Candlestick was made wholly of gold, while the Laver was composed of solid brass.
•	The pure gold of the Candlestick weighed 120 pounds, or one talent. At a price of $300.00 per ounce, the gold would have been worth over $500,000.00 by today's standards!
•	No wood was in this Candlestick. It was "one beaten work of pure gold." 
o	Little by little the hammer carefully fashioned this magnificent masterpiece. 
o	When it was all carefully molded out of one piece the unity was so complete that thought of separation was utterly impossible.
 2. THE PARTS OF THE CANDLESTICK:
o	A Central Shaft — Jesus said, " I am the Vine" (John 15:5).
o	Branches — Three on either side of the central shaft — Jesus said, "Ye are the branches"     (John 15:5).
o	Bowls — were like the leaf-envelope of the flower.
o	Knops — upheld the branches from beneath. They were like an opening bud. 
o	Flowers - the floral portion, or blossom-like lilies.
3. THE SEVEN LAMPS: (Exodus 25:37)
•	Though these were seven lamps with seven lights, yet they are spoken of as ONE lamp or ONE light. 
o	The seven lamps gave forth ONE Light or ONE witness.
•	The Purpose of the Candlestick was to give LIGHT:
	a. The Candlestick was to illuminate the Holy Place. It was the only light there just as the Church is the Light of the World now.
	b. The Candlestick was to give light before the Lord (Leviticus 24:1-4). We are to shine before the Lord as we shine before the world (Matthew 5:15-16).
	c. The Candlestick was to give light on the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense (Exodus 40:24, 25).
d. The Candlestick was to give light over against itself (Exodus 25:37: Numbers 8:2, it was to illumine itself or its own ornamentation. It takes the light of the Spirit to illumine the Word (Psalm 36:9; 119:130; John 14:26; 16:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
•	All priestly ministry unto the Lord was performed in the light of the Candlestick (Revelation 1:6; 5:9-10; 1 Peter 2:5,9).
•	The Candlestick was Divinely lit (Divine Sovereignty), but was kept alight by the supply of oil daily (Human Responsibility). 
•	Likewise, the Church, as God's Candlestick was Divinely and Sovereignty lit on the Day of Pentecost when the "Tongues like as of FIRE sat upon each of them..." (Acts 2:1-4). 
o	It is the responsibility of the believer to receive a continual supply of Divine Oil, the Holy Spirit, to keep his lamp burning before the Lord.

THE PROCESS OF LIGHTING THE LAMPS AND KEEPING THEM LIT:
1.	The Priests were instructed by God to use pure Olive oil beaten for the light (Leviticus 	24:1-4).
•	Jesus fulfills this symbol in His pre-cross sufferings. "Gethsemane" means "the place of the press."
2.	The Lamps were to burn continually. They were never to be allowed to go out 	(Exodus 27:20). In order to burn continually there had to be a continual supply of oil.
•	FULFILLMENT: The church of the end times must have an abundant supply of oil in order to keep the light burning.
3. Aaron dresses the Lamp and lights them at even (Exodus 30:7,8).
•	The ministry of Aaron the High Priest was to 1) trim the wicks by taking away the burnt part, and 2) to supply oil in the morning and evening as he ministered at the Altar of Incense (Exodus 27:21; Leviticus 24:3; Numbers 8:1-3).
•	Unless the wicks are properly trimmed there will be an abundance of smoke and improper light. 
o	God wishes a pure light and a faithful witness to go forth.
•	The tongs and snuff dishes used in this ministry represent the instruments that the Lord uses to trim us and cleanse us to enable us to shine brighter for His glory.

THE CANDLESTICK IN TRANSIT: (Numbers 4:9-10) 
It was covered with:
1.	A Cloth of Blue — representative of Him who is the LORD FROM HEAVEN (1 Corinthians       
	15:47).
2.	Wrapped in Badgers' Skin — speaks of Him in whom the world sees no natural beauty.
3. Carried on a Bar — significant of a pilgrimage
LESSON TEN

SELF HELP TEST

A. Give a brief general description of the Candlestick.

B.	What was unique about the Candlestick?

C.	List the four-fold purpose of the Candlestick.
1.	
2.	
3.	
4.	

D. How were the lamps to continue burning?

E. What were the two coverings of the Candlestick while in transit?