Bless the Land
THE MENORAH: A SYMBOL FOR ALL ISRAEL
In the Torah Moses was given the design for the various pieces of sacred furniture that would be situated and used in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. These included the altar of incense, table of showbread, and the lamp, the menorah. The menorah (candlestick) was both functional and beautiful, and is described in Exodus 25:31-37. Please read the account to refresh your memory.
"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shalt the candlestick be made: his shaft, all his branches, his bowls, his knobs, and his flowers,shall be of the same.
"And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
"Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knob and a flower on one branch; and three bowls made like the almonds in the other branch, with a knob and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
"And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knobs and their flowers.
"And there shall be a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, and a knob under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
"and thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."
The menorah, an ancient emblem of Israel, was a pure gold, seven-branched candelabrum used for illumination in the tabernacle in the wilderness and in the two temples in Jerusalem. It is a type of Yeshua, and of Believers too. The gold of the menorah speaks of the divinity and the purity of Yeshua. Its light declares that He is the Light that has come into the world "to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house' (Isaiah 41:7). The branches represent His disciples residing in His Word who also give His light into the world.
As we have read, the menorah was made from a single piece of gold, with seven branches, one central with three others on both sides. A small bowl was formed at the end of each branch and used to hold pure olive oil and a wick. Each evening and morning the small bowls were lit and used to illuminate the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and the temples. The almonds and flowers that were formed under the bowls represent the fruit of the Spirit that Believers bear as they abide in the Messiah's light; as they keep His commandments and walk in the Spirit of Truth.
The word "menorah" is said to come from and ancient Semetic word that means "to give light" or "to shine". The central branch is called the "shamash", and it was (is) used to light the candles of the other six branches. The word "shamash" can be interpreted "servant". It represents a prophetic hint pointing to the character and ministry of Yeshua, who said in Matthew 20:28, "...whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Yeshua Messiah is the quintessential example of profound humility for us to emulate. He is the eternal Light who took on the form of a servant and went about doing good, ever active in preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, performing miracles, casting out demons, and cleansing lepers. Never weary of doing His Father's will, he became a Servant to the race He came to save. Of course, the crowning demonstration of His servanthood and humility is that He gave His life as a ransom for the souls of men and women. His atonement reflects the quality of love that He actually shed abroad in our hearts, and the purity of light that He has given to us in which to walk. We must not follow and become like those of the darkness of this world who lord over one another. Instead, the person who would be great in Yeshua's sight must live day and night in the truth of One Who said, "I am the light of the world".
In John 15:5 Yeshua says to His disciples, "I am the vine [shamash]. ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." In His discourse on the vine and the branches Yeshua is teaching about the relationship a disciple must have with Him. He is the Sustainer and the Lightgiver [central Branch] to all who come to and abide in Him through obedience to His Word. This is a picture of the branches having their place on the central stem (shamash) of the menorah. Yeshua, our central Stem, is our strength and life. However diverse the challenges and circumstances of His people are, His Spirit and Word sustain and enlighten and empower us as we return to our Israelite heritage and Spirit-led lifestyle. Therefore, while we understand and appreciate the menorah being a symbol of Judaism, we also believe the menorah is an appropriate and inspirational symbol of all Israel, including Believers in Yeshua who are returning to the power and truth of their Hebraic roots.
Being both filled and led by the Spirit is an important aspect of abiding in His light. In Acts 1:8 Yeshua told His disciples, "But you shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you..." Further, in Acts 2:3-4 we read of the account of the promise being fulfilled and His disciples (branches) being endowed with power (anointing and holy fire) from on High. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." This should be the common experience of all Believers today!! The menorah bowls were filled with oil, and then lit with fire from the central branch (vine). the oil represents the Holy Spirit. Yeshua is our Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Who anoints us with the Spirit (oil) and "lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1:9) And, He refills us daily with fresh oil and enlightens , inspires, and empowers us with His fresh holy fire. His divine life's flow restores to us the joy of His salvation as we remain in His Word...all if it.
Traditionally, the cross has been the symbol of Christianity. It represents the redemption Yeshua accomplished at Golgotha two thousand years ago, and we honor that emblem of His atonement. The fish was also a symbol of the early church in the days of the apostles, and continues to be used today. We suggest that the menorah should likewise be widely accepted as a symbol, especially in this hour of restoration, for it typifies Believers who are letting their lights shine by embracing their Hebrew roots and the holy fire of the Spirit. In Matthew 5:14-15 Yeshua is preaching the Sermon on the Mount. He says to His followers, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Yeshua affirms that returning Israelites are lights in Him, and by their return to the Spirit's ministry and their Hebrew roots truth they become elevated lights who proclaim His light and demonstrate His power in a dark world, and to a lukewarm, wayward Church/Ecclesia.
While the menorah does represent individual Believers, it also represents the Body of Messiah Yeshua corporately. Revelation 1:20 reveals Yeshua walking among the seven candlesticks (menorahs) that represented seven congregations of Believers. "...and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." When Believers unite around Yeshua in holy praise, with their arms lifted up in adoration of the Messiah, we resemble a menorah, and His Spirit manifests to enlighten and empower them, the royal priesthood, to accomplish its end-time purpose.
Indeed, the menorah depicts Yeshua as the Light that came into the world and His Spirit-filled
disciples as branches abiding in Him and bearing fruit. It pictures us as lamps anointed with the Spirit and His holy fire giving light in a darkened world through our anointed words and works. It is a fitting symbol. Let us therefore, as disciples of Messiah, fulfill our noble office as His branches, His holy lamps, and be daily filled with His Spirit, trimmed of unholy burdens, and walk in His light as did our early, pentecostal Hebrew/Jewish brethren. Let us love His light (truth), bear good fruit, and honor His Sabbath and Feasts as the Bride making herself ready for the return of the Messiah King of Israel, Yeshua!
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