ALL artificial light was excluded from the sanctuary, neither were any provisions made whereby it might be admitted. When the priest entered there the first time, the place was totally dark. But God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; therefore he made some arrangement that light could be had in the sanctuary. The means for this were commanded of God, by having a golden candlestick made, which was to give perpetual light. It was made of pure gold, all of beaten work, with six branches coming out of it, three each side. This piece of furniture was artistically designed, and had most beautiful trimmings. The Lord also commanded the children of Israel to bring pure olive oil for the light, that the lamps might give a perpetual light. Every morning and evening when the priests offered the incense upon the golden altar, they were to trim the lamps. It might seem from Ex. 30:8, at first reading, the lamps went out during the day, and were started again each evening. But by comparing with chapter 27:20, 21, they were to burn always, and never to go out. The Hebrew word rendered in verse 20 'to burn always,' is 'a continuous, or perpetual light.' Once the lamps were lighted, they were never to go out. And it was the work of the priest each morning and evening to trim the lamps and fill them with oil. See Ex. 25:31-40; 27:20, 21; 30:7, 8; 40:4, 25; Lev. 24:1-4.
It is interesting to note how the candlestick was prepared to give light. It did not give light itself, but was simply a receptacle. The gold was first taken in the lump, and then passed through various processes of refining and beating, till it was made in exactly the shape that God intended it should be. Each part had to be exactly in harmony with the divine ideal, otherwise it was of no service.
Is it not by the refining processes that the Christian is made a light-bearer? Is it not by passing through the fiery furnace of affliction that our faith is tried as gold in the fire? And is it not necessary that all the dross be consumed and the right degree of beating and refining continue till every part is brought into perfect harmony with the divine will? It is only thus we are able to be light-bearers. God orders how the work shall be done; and if we submit ourselves to him, he will fashion us according to the pattern by which he makes all like himself.
It was only by this process that the Saviour was made perfect, and he is the light of the world. He was made perfect through suffering. And being made perfect, he became the High Priest for ever, for all who should obey him. Heb. 5:8, 9. All the light of the world was excluded from Jesus' life, that the light of God only might burn in his soul. And when God once started that fire to burn by the power of his love, it never was dimmed. God ever took care of it, and demonstrated to the world that he is the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9. Thus God shaped and fashioned the dear Saviour, and made him to be the great receptacle which emitted the light of God to the world. 'He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.'
Prior to his departure Jesus said, 'While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' And since his departure from the world his disciples are the light of the world. 'Ye are the light of the world.' And as he is, so are we in this world. Thus God has made his followers to be light-bearers in this world. We are to be candlesticks beaten and refined of God, that the light of Jesus might be seen in the world. But if we expect to shine as God wishes, we should, we must, bear the test of refining; otherwise we shall not be the right kind of instruments. But, thanks be to God, Jesus knows how to sympathize with us while the work of beating is being carried on.
All outside means must be excluded, as the Lord allowed no other light but his own to shine in the sanctuary. 'For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good-pleasure.' And the material itself is much better than gold. For we are not redeemed with silver and gold which perisheth, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot or wrinkle. And it is the trials and afflictions the Christian endures which makes him shine as a light in the dark world.
And the light in us must never go out either. It must be kept burning continually. There are some Christians that feel as tho they were shining one day, and the next day their light is out. But the true child of God seeks to have his light placed upon a candlestick, that it may give a bright light, and a continuous one. And it will never grow dim if we allow our great High Priest to trim the wick, and fill the lamp with the oil of grace. If we seek for his grace day by day, we shall give the right kind of light all the time. There are many bad edges which need trimming occasionally to keep the light burning brightly all the time; he will remove them if we ask him to supply us with needed help. It is much better for him to remove the trimmings than to remove the entire candlestick. And when he polishes and refines8and continually beautifies the lamp in which his own light shines, then many will be led to behold him who is the light of God and the light of the world.
He has told us what some of the means are to keep our lights burning brightly in our candlestick: 'Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' If we ever seek to imbibe that Word in our souls, then the darkness of tradition and superstition will never cause our lights to burn dimly or to become extinct.
Then let the good work go on in our every life; let him do all he thinks necessary that the light may shine brightly; that many may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
'Light of the world, Thy beams impart,
To lead my feet through life's dark way;
O, shine on this benighted heart,
Nor let me from Thy guidance stray!
'Light of the world, shine on our souls;
Thy grace to us afford;
And while we meet to learn Thy truth,
Be Thou our teacher, Lord.'
