Fri 17th Mar 2023 - Daily Reading:
Numbers 8
Lamps by Becky Brooks
At the point at which the Levites were consecrated to their duties in the Lord’s service, the lamps in the tabernacle were lit.
Lamps are referred to frequently in Scripture. They are a symbol of guidance, giving light so that a person can see the steps ahead of them. The lamps in the tabernacle were to be permanently lit as a symbol of God’s covenant blessing on his people and his promises to them.
Although the lamps represented an aspect of God, they were lit like this on the day the Levites were consecrated because they also represented an aspect of the Levites – they were to be a light to the people of Israel.
In the New Covenant, we know that Jesus is the lamp (Revelation 21:23) and the light of the world. He replaces the lamp in the temple. However, like the Levites, we, too, are meant to be a light to the people, sharing the light that Jesus has given to us. John the Baptist was compared to a lamp (John 5:35) and Jesus called his disciples to be lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
In Revelation we read that each of the seven churches is represented by a lampstand. So, as a body of believers, the church is also to be a light to the people. Our light is not only our personal faith, but our collective faith. Both individually, and together, we share the light that Jesus has shone on us.
Shining the light will take effort on our part, though. The lamps of Scripture were not powered by batteries. They needed regular filling with olive oil – remember how the foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable did not plan ahead and bring enough fuel for the long wait? So, to, we need to be regularly filled with the Holy Spirit.
They also frequently needed their wicks trimming so that the flame would burn pure and bright. If lamps were to burn through the night, somebody would need to make the sacrifice of getting up in the dark hours to trim the wick to prevent smoke and soot forming. If we want to shine a pure and bright light, we will sometimes need to trim away the unhelpful habits and behaviours that might build up over time.
As individuals, and as a church, let us commit to keeping our witness – our light – in good working order so that others may see it and be drawn to the Lord, the source of all light.