The Tabernacle Open to Show Its FurnishingsBible World

Exodus 25:32

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:

The specifications including the six branches were given by Christ to Moses for building the tabernacle. The verse describes six branches coming out from the sides, three from one side and three from the other side of the central shaft or stem, making seven lamps in all with the center. The candlestick was made of pure and purest gold, rich and glorious in appearance. It was beaten work made from one solid piece of gold.

Its seven lamps were kept burning day and night to give light to the sanctuary and both its apartments, since the tabernacle had no windows. Its light reflected from the gold-plated or gold-covered boards, the sacred furniture, and the colorful curtains, making the apartments appear glorious. Its bright surface reflects the image of the one who enters that place.

In the earthly tabernacle built by Moses as the dwelling-place of God, it stood in the holy place or first apartment on the south side, while the table of showbread stood on the north and the golden altar of incense stood before the veil. Its counterpart with seven lamps stands in the holy place or first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, the temple in the Holy City, with the table of shewbread and the altar of incense and the censer, inside the first veil and before the second veil or opened curtain or door that leads into the Holy of Holies.

The specifications chapter after chapter were repeated to fellow tentmakers while working quickly and skillfully with the hands for mutual benefit, to teach that supreme honor is to be given to God and that the skill, genius, and wisdom used in building the tabernacle were given by God to be used for His glory, joining diligent, thorough manual labor with preaching the gospel.

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