Vayak’hel (Exodus 35:1 – 38:20)
“He made the menorah of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, rings of outer leaves and flowers were a single unit. There were six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on one side of it and three on the other. On one branch were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; likewise, on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah.” (Exodus 28:1-3).
From a distance, the Tabernacle of the Lord appeared to be a rather ordinary tent surrounded by a linen fence and a camp of people. To the passerby the glory of the Tabernacle was hidden, but to those who drew near, the glory was awesome. Beneath the covering of goat skins and linen, behind embroidered curtains, a room of communion was created. In this small room, called the Holy Place, a table of bread and an altar of incense sat positioned for their respective ministry. Illuminating the room was a single lamp of seven lights – the Menorah.
The Holy Place symbolized the inner life of man in communion with God – both his prayer life and his daily struggle for food. The ever-present bread upon the Table of Shewbread (the table of the sent one) in the presence of the Golden Altar represented the Lord’s promised provision of sustenance and man’s need for unceasing prayer. Lighting this room, symbolizing the inner man, was a golden lampstand of seven lights burning the purest of olive oil. This light was the only light in the Tabernacle, and it brought to light, thereby making it possible, the communion between man and God.
As we read above, the Menorah was of a hammered work. Its appearance was that of an almond tree – which is known for its beauty when in bloom. Unlike some of the other furnishings of the Tabernacle, the Menorah had no inner support structure – it should collapse, yet it stood. This silent source of light stood under the weight and heat of burning olive oil. It stood as a miraculous testimony of the power and resurrection found with the Lord, and symbolized the anointed one and his complete congregation.
The almond tree, or a branch of it, was a symbol of power and authority, but also resurrection. The staff of the high priest Aaron was made from an almond branch. As Moses and Aaron led Israel out of Egypt, and they witnessed the miracles of heaven, it was an almond staff in Aaron’s hand. When the children of Israel revolted against the high priest, the Lord caused Aaron’s staff to sprout “not only buds but flowers and ripe almonds as well” (Num. 17:8). This dead branch brought forth buds, flowers and fruit; and resurrection would then come to signify the appointed high priest of the Lord.
The apostle John writes of Messiah (anointed one), “In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed it” (Jn. 1:4-5). As life came to be through him (Jn. 1:3), the life of humanity is illuminated and nourished by connection to him – much like a branch. In John 15:5-6 Messiah says, “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.”
The picture that Messiah is utilizing here is the Menorah. In ancient times, the central shaft of the Menorah was known as “the vine,” from which the branches sprouted. Messiah is the light of the world, and while he is preparing a place for his bride, the betrothed remains as a light in the world. John records this picture in the first chapter of Revelation, as Messiah stands in the midst of “seven gold menorahs; and among the menorahs was someone like a Son of Man, wearing a robe down to his feet and a gold band around his chest” (Rev. 1:12-13, cf. Rev. 1:20). Messiah, standing among forty-nine lights, is showing himself to be the jubilee (the fiftieth light), the source of freedom for those in him.
Still, the Menorah and its illuminating oil, bring forth beautiful light after they have endured pressure. The Menorah was a hammered work – meaning that it was shaped by pounding – and its beauty was brought forth by this process. The olive oil for the lamps, being the purest quality, was brought forth by the pressure of the fingers holding the olive – very light pressure. Yet, in this we see the transformative power of pressure applied by the hand of God. Messiah as he prayed on the night of his betrayal, in the place of Gethsemane (olive press), sweat blood because of the strain he was enduring (Lk. 22:44). And in his resurrection he would fulfill the type of the almond branch of resurrection, signifying his anointed position, as those who shared in his death and resurrection are joined supernaturally to his body, sharing in his anointing, and giving forth light as they burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Believers in Messiah are enduring terrible trial and tribulation around the world today – being purified by process, shaped for purpose, and living as witnesses to the glory of God. Recognizing that we are joined to the Messiah, as branches on his vine, we will share in his sufferings in order to illuminate the inner life of humanity, turning others to see their need for prayer and his provision, and share in his holiness. While this process may seem to be a hammering on us, Christ endured the hammering, while we experience the merciful fingers of God – as opposed to his wrath (Ro. 8:1). As we begin to burn more brightly, we must always remember that we shine because we abide in him.
“When you truly know the holiness of God, you’ll burn and burn and burn and not be consumed only because of the merits of your savior.” Dr. Timothy Keller
Shalom;
Dr. J.D. Elwell