The Light that Shines (in darkness) on the Bread of Life (sustenance) Supplies All We Need
It’s an amazing thing when “learning of the Father and Son”, BY the teaching of the Holy Spirit of GOD becomes fun! Weve been invited to learn of Them, but to “seek and search for Him with all of our heart.” I have many questions. My most recent one is what I am sharing today.
People all over are asking questions about Biblical matters, struggling to understand His Ways, while tripping over numerous (Christian) religions and denominational doctrines (led by men and women who do not believe the Word of GOD as a Whole—only pieces). It is NO WONDER many have “fallen away” or “never activated their given faith” to pursue their Creator.
Sooo, my curiosity is, “Are the function and meaning of the Menorah (light) and Bread of the Face (provisionary Word) in the tabernacle Covenant actions that all men should have?”
#1 The Menorah’s primary function was to provide light for the priests’ work in the Holy Place, illuminating the Bread of the Presence [face] and the Altar of Incense. Symbolically, it represented GOD’s Light and Presence, guiding His people and revealing His Truth. In the ‘New’ Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as the “Light of the world” in John 8:12, fulfilling the Menorah’s role as the source of inspired insight and ability to see clearly the direction in which to walk.
#2 The bread was placed before the LORD every Sabbath, symbolizing the Twelve Tribes of Israel and their continual fellowship with GOD. The bread was a tangible reminder of GOD’s provision and sustenance, and only the priests could eat it in a holy place. In the ‘New’ Testament, it points to Yeshua as the Bread of Life in John 6:35. Jesus, as the Bread, is the Ultimate Provision for spiritual and eternal life.
In Num 8:1-4,the LORD GOD said this to Moses, “When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will provide light in the front of the lampstand.’” Therefore, Aaron did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Now this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flower adornment, it was hammered work.
“FORWARD-FACING LIGHT” was an interesting requirement for the function of the flame. Over the years, I’ve had thoughts on this, but this time around, things seem a bit more important within me. The phrase "provide light in the front" indicates that the wicks were specifically turned or trimmed so that their flames directed light forward and across the Holy Place. …directly shedding that bright light (GOD’s Presence) on the Table of Showbread (GOD’s Son’s Provision) standing opposite it—Num 8:1-4
I searched for details on how the wicks were created and possibly bent but found nothing of accuracy. There is no historical or archaeological evidence that the menorah had wicks that were stiff enough to be manipulated into burning in a specific direction. I was able to substantiate “the wicks were made from worn-out priestly garments, saturated with pure olive oil, and trimmed regularly to burn brightly.”
NOTE: Because the Tabernacle had no windows, the Menorah was the sole source of lighting in the Holy Place, making the direction of its light highly significant.
As I look at my life, I thought to use this section to look at the importance of how my life is shaped by these Spirit Elements: GOD’s Light, the Bread Himself and how the High Priest Himself all represented in my relationship with the Truth of the Scriptures.
I am looking at my life’s intentional and daily realignment to obey the LORD GOD! Since the wicks of the Menorah (my soul) were made of linen and would naturally burn down, bend, or ash over during the course of the night, every single morning and evening, the High Priest had to physically clean out the old ash and replace the oil. Wow!
I NEED this daily refreshing and renewal of the Oil of GOD and His Light showing me where to find His Son of His Provision. Dude!
This procedure demonstrates that spiritual arrangement and affiliation is not a one-time event. Just as the wicks naturally drifted or burned out of position, human plans and actions naturally drift over time.
My spiritual life is under a daily, if not more frequently deliberate correction by the Son of GOD’s Spirit to help me to ensure that my "light" remains focused on GOD’s Son and His priorities. That is once again represented by the Table of Showbread. Rather than turning inward or scattering from worry of concern, I am shown by the Menorah of GOD where to look, step and eat—as my provision is just ahead, can I not see It?
When Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” He is saying I am the True Menorah. I am the True Pillar of Fire. I am the True Presence that guides and reveals. See John 8:12.
Did you miss ANY of that?
If I follow Him, His Light of life will never go out! When I follow the Lord, I will not walk in darkness. What comes with the life that walks in the dark? I KNOW that when I am strolling along and not watching where I am going, I find myself in confusion, adrift, self-reliance and spiritual and emotional fog. When these things start appearing in my walk, I know and so do others see that I am in spiritual exhaustion, and I stop fighting.
NOTE: The Table of Showbread represents GOD’s physical provision, sustenance, and the twelve tribes of Israel (via the twelve loaves).
By directing the Menorah's light specifically onto the bread, Numbers 4 depiction details and symbolizes that all material blessings and physical sustenance are illuminated, validated, and made holy by His Spiritual Light.
There is no darkness in GOD, per 1 John 1:5-9. We all can see that this portion of Scripture is calling us ALL out. Honesty is required. Self-reflection is needed here. What else is needed? Well… reliance on Messiah’s and our active pursuit of holiness. If/when we do this, we are emphasizing that true fellowship with GOD and others is rooted in walking in His Light and experiencing His forgiveness. Agreed?
The light of the Menorah does not light up the wall behind it or the structure itself—as if GOD needed light. By shining away from itself and onto the bread, it shows that GOD does not need creation to sustain Him; rather, His Light actively pours out to sustain and reveal His desire and sustenance for us.
NOTE: Bread of the Presence or Face is the Hebrew word Panim. Panim means "face" or "presence." Soooo..., It signifies that the Bread was ALWAYS set directly before the Face of GOD and enhance and/or shined upon by the Light.
The twelve loaves and the LIGHT on the table stood for the unity of the entire nation of Israel. The light shining DIRECTLY UPON THEM indicates that unity and community can only be maintained when exposed to the Light of GOD’s Truth.
Once more… The Twelve individual loaves (representing the Tribes) were baked using fine flour and arranged in two stacks of six.
NOTE: This happened EVERY Sabbath (Saturday). The old bread was removed and eaten exclusively by the priests inside the Holy Place.
What now?! We who SAY and DON’T need to get our feet pointed in the proper direction. Walking in the Light will associate believers with GOD’s Holiness and will foster their fellowship with other Christians and allows the “blood of Jesus to cleanse all sin.”
Walking in the Light is a lot like living transparently in obedience to GOD’s Commands, and walking in His Truth.
Fellowship with others would look much like you and I, being spiritually honest and of high integrity, strengthened by being in community among believers.
Confession and forgiveness are tough boogers, but using regular acknowledgment of our own sin helps us to maintain a right relationship with GOD and prevents spiritual self-deception.
If we are doing these things, there is an assurance of internal and external cleansing. Those believers (all of them) can trust in Jesus’ Sacrifice to remove guilt and restore life as His Father planned it.
"Believers" and "Truth Seekers" are inclined to be willing and ready ones to understand where all THIS began and why it makes sense to TRUST GOD over man. Let's connect this and hopefully close the door on this post.
The LIGHT & BREAD are spiritual and symbolic connected with purpose!
The Supreme One was going to always give continuous provision and have purposed fellowship with His called-out ones.
Early on, the bread symbolized GOD's role as the Sustainer of life. Eating bread together in their ancient culture was the ultimate sign of a Covenant relationship of peace.
NOTE: In the culture of Israel, even today, a meal is NOT a meal, unless BREAD is part of it.
The "table" showed that GOD desired constant communion and fellowship with His people is originally seen in the Tabernacle of Israel.
Across the room was the full illumination of the Menorah (candle) Light. Being directly opposite of the table, it received the light from the forward-facing flames.
Even today, the Light of GOD and the Word of GOD are staples in the life of the person who chooses to "walk in the Light" and "read and live according to the Word of GOD."
Since the symbolisms, aphorisms, cultural references and euphemisms are riddled throughout the Scriptures from cover to cover, we can see (if watching and open to) the intentional ways the Truth of GOD is relayed.
The Showbread had to be on the table continually. The Christ (Messiah) provides an uninterrupted, permanent covenantal relationship that never expires or diminishes. Yeshua is the Light of the Menorah.
While the physical Menorah required human priests to continually add oil and trim wicks to keep it burning. Jesus is presented as the Self-sustaining Light that requires no human maintenance.
Likewise, just as the physical Menorah illuminated the Table of the Presence inside the dark Temple, the Holy Spirit (often symbolized by the oil of the Menorah) shed light on Christ (the Bread) to the believer.
One day, there will be a time when Revelation 21 will be revealed. The Apostle John describes the “New” Jerusalem as a City that has no need for a physical sun or a lamp stand, because "the Glory of GOD gives it Light, and the Lamb is its Lamp"—Revelation 21:23.
That Presence is no longer confined to a gold table or a gold lampstand; Yeshua encompasses both, providing eternal Life (Bread) and eternal Truth (Light) in the direct presence of GOD.
I told you that learning is fun! …at least, for me.