31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
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.
33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was skewed thee in the mount.
31 “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold.”
As the ark of the covenant represents Christ the center of gathering to the church of God; and the table of shewbread, Christ as the center and ground of communion; so the golden candlestick represents HIM as the Center, the SOURCE, and the SUBJECT of TESTIMONY.
In the cherubim on the mercy seat we have ministry in its heavenly and divine source; in the candlestick, ministry in its exercise on earth. In the cherubim, ministry at its fountain head above, and in the candlestick, ministry in its manifestation in connection with the church below.
“If any man thirst,” says Christ, ‘let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)” (John 7: 37-39).
A glorified Christ within the wail is the source above, and living waters are diffused on earth, when faith draws out from his abundant fullness.
“A candlestick,” or lampholder, or literally, a depository and giver of light. It is God’s provision for his church, during the present night time of the world, previous to the rising of the Sun of righteousness. The church itself is God’s provision for the world. “Ye are the salt of the earth,” says Christ; “ye are the light of the world.” “The pillar and ground of the truth.” “The epistle of Christ, known and read of all men;” at least such it ought to be, and Revelation 1, 2, 3, so represents it in the seven golden candlesticks, with “Jesus in the midst.”—A collective and corporate— testimony; not as originating truth, but as receiving and maintaining it.
But in the seven-branched candlestick of the sanctuary, we have set forth, testimony, as an individual thing, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 12).
A candlestick of pure gold.”
That which is here signified is ministry according to God, and not according to the principles and practices of men; ministry, after a divine model, maintained in the power of divine grace. “If any man speak,” says Peter, “let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4: 11). Not simply cultivated intellect putting forth its strongest efforts, and its fairest forms, to the credit of the preacher, and to the honor of the ministry; but divine grace manifested to the glory of God.
This ministry looks to no earthly or human source for its principles, authority, or sanction. It traces them neither down from the pontifical chair, the throne of the sovereign, nor up from the congregation of the people, nor yet from ministerial sanction, right or left. Cause for fervent thankfulness though it be, when this ministry is delivered from papal bondage, when the throne permits and protects its exercise, when the people recognize and receive it, and when the sweet fellowship of fellow-servants makes the labor light.
Yet nevertheless, true ministry has its source, its sanction, and its strength in God. It is gift received from the Lord Jesus Christ risen and glorified; distributed by the Holy Ghost according to his own will (1 Corinthians 12: 11), and exercised in subjection to the supreme authority of Christ. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; differences of administrations, but the same Lord; diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6).
The reception of gift from Christ, whether it be that of the evangelist, the pastor, or the teacher, lays the person receiving it under the most solemn obligations to exercise it diligently. He becomes a steward of the manifold grace of God, and it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. When Peter and John were charged by the religious authorities of their day to be silent, their reply was, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” And the exhortation of Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4: 1-5) is worthy of all regard: —“I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season... Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” See also the parable of the faithful and wise servant in Matthew 24: 45-47.
“Of beaten work shall the candlestick be made.”
“Beaten work” for the candlestick, and “beaten oil” for the light (chap. 28: 20).
The candlestick was not cast by one simple operation, but wrought. This shows the labor, care, and skill, which is required in ministry according to God. It is not simple gift, but gift stirred up, laboriously fulfilled, and strengthened by the exercise (See 1 Timothy iv, 13-16; and 2 Timothy 1: 6).
“His shaft, and his branch (not branches), his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.”
This is the center shaft and branch, which is called by way of pre-eminence, “the candlestick,” in 5: 34, and is typical of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the center and source of testimony in the power of the Spirit, and the great example and pattern of it in his personal ministry on earth.
As to fruit-bearing, he is the true vine, and his disciples are the branches. And as to testimony-bearing, he is the true candlestick, and his servants are branches of the same. In either case, without him we can do nothing.
As the sufferings of Christ fitted him to sympathize with us as our High Priest within the wail, so his active and laborious service here adapts him to our need as the center and source of testimony, now that he is glorified above.
In the gold we see his divine sufficiency and excellency; in the beaten work his human preparedness, and in the shaft, with his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, we see signified is dependence as man, his all-sufficiency, as possessing all stores of wisdom and knowledge, and his adaptation, as having now, and as the one who exercised when on earth, every variety of gift, who spake as never man spake, and all in divine excellency and glory.
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 golden candlestick, consisting of the center shaft and lamp, his branch, bowls, knops, and flowers, represents Christ himself, the center and source of ministry. The whole candlestick, with its seven branches and seven lamps and all its other parts, is the divinely devised representation of ministry or testimony according to God, having Christ for its center.
The apostles and prophets of the present dispensation, having laid the foundation, and all the fundamental points whether of truth or practice, being settled, and contained in the inspired scriptures, the three standing branches of ministry in the church, and for the adding to, and building up of the church until it is complete, are those of the evangelist, the pastor, and the teacher (Ephesians 4). The six branches proceed from the main shaft in pairs, expressing, fellowship and concurrence in testimony. They proceed from the sides and not in front, for the object of ministry is not to make the ministry or the minister prominent, but for the exhibition of Christ. “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Standing aside that he may be visible to all, and thus giving him in testimony his own proper place, “Jesus in the midst.”
These branches, as the original word for branch’ implies, are hollow.
In Zechariah iv we have a candlestick all of gold; the representation of ministry in the power of the Spirit, in the latter day, and in connection with Israel. This candlestick has a bowl on the top of it, and seven pipes leading to the seven lamps. While two olive trees supply the oil to the bowl and thence to the seven branches and lamps. The two olive trees are representations of Zerubbabel and Jeshuah, but these again are typical of the Lord Jesus in his Melchizedec character as priest and king. While the great lesson conveyed by all is, “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. ‘
“Branches,” hollow, and thus adapted to receive and to convey the oil. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
The source of all supply for ministry is in Christ, and the power for all testimony is the Spirit of God.
“Three branches on either side.”
The evangelist begins the work, and lays the foundation, which is Christ Jesus, and faith in him. His sphere is the widest. His parish is the world. The pastor carries on the work, in caring for the blood-bought flock of God. The teacher leads the soul yet higher into the truth of God, and the
apprehension of the divine glories of the person of Christ.
33 “Three bowls made like unto almonds, a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, (with) a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.”
“Bowls.” Compare Jeremiah 35: 5, there translated “pots,” the larger vessels from which the “cups” were supplied.
Their oval form, “made like unto almonds,” is doubtless significant. The root of the Hebrew word for “almond” signifies to watch, and also to be early, ready, or prepared, as the almond tree was noted for its early blossoming. See Jeremiah 1: 11, 12: “Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? and I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen; for I will hasten (or watch over) my word to perform it.” So also 2 Timothy 2: 21: — “If a man therefore purge himself from these (vessels to dishonor), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” And 2 Timothy 4: 5: “But watch thou in all things, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
These bowls, therefore, made like unto almonds, express watchfulness, readiness, and preparedness for the Christian ministry.
But this preparedness consists in a general and large acquaintance with divine truth; the word of Christ dwelling richly in the heart, in all wisdom. Like the scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, bringing forth out of his treasure, things new and old (Matthew 13: 52).
So Paul to Timothy, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4: 15). And, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)).
“A knop.” Round in form, so the original word signifies, and smaller in size than the bowls. These knops, I understand to be typical of distinct gifts, such as the gift of the evangelist, the pastor, and the teacher.
“And a flower.”
The septuagint says, a lily—probably an artificial flower, in the form of a lily.
As the bowls express preparedness for ministry, through a large and deep acquaintance with the word of God; and the knop, distinct gift for its ministration, so by the flower, is expressed the beautiful and full unfolding of divine truth in actual testimony.
And this suggests an important and instructive lesson—that God would have his truth presented in a comely and attractive form. “The preacher sought to find out acceptable words,” or words of delight (Ecclesiastes 11: 10). And “the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning” (Proverbs 16: 21). On the lips of the great Teacher the people hung, and marveled at the gracious words that proceeded from him; and no wonder, for “never man spake like this man.”
“Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch.”
That is, three bowls, one knop, and one flower in each branch. A threefold capacity or preparedness; a general acquaintance with each branch of divine truth, but one distinct gift, and one manifestation of gift.
Every evangelist should not only be acquainted with the truth of the gospel, but also with the other truths of God’s word, so as to be prepared to give the word of exhortation where needed, and also a word of instruction; though his distinct gift be that of the evangelist, and his distinct work be that of preaching the gospel.
So with the pastor; his especial call may be to deal with souls experimentally,” to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine,” but he should be also ready to present the gospel of the grace of God to perishing sinners, and also to instruct the souls he deals with.
And so with the teacher: while he makes full proof of his own ministry, he will find it delightful and profitable to “do the work of an evangelist,” as God gives him opportunity (2 Timothy 4: 5). And experimental dealing with souls in secret, will tend to increase the richness and value of his ministry in teaching.
“And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like almonds, with their knops, and their flowers.”
“The candlestick.” This is the center shaft and branch, the type of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern, center, and source of ministry in the Spirit.
“Four bowls,” all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him.
“Four knops,” he was the great Evangelist, the Good Shepherd, and the perfect Teacher, and he was more, he was the great Apostle and Prophet of our profession.
“And four flowers.”
The very perfection of beauty and excellency shone out in his ministry. When he preached the gospel, all the publicans and the sinners drew near unto him for to hear him. And what words can equal the fifteenth of Luke? When he feeds his sheep, what green pastures and still waters do his cheering words provide! When he instructs his disciples, what rich unfoldings of divine truth! what revelations of a Father’s love! And when he unfolds the future, how distinct the prophetic visions stand before the eye! How vivid the brightness of his coming! how gorgeous the mansions of the Father’s house appear! and that one place which he is gone to prepare for us!
In verse 31 we also have noticed “Ms branch,” for he too was the empty and dependent one in ministry on earth. His language was, “I can of mine own self, do nothing,” “ as I hear I speak, and my doctrine is not mine but his that sent me.” And when from the height of his glory, he gives the revelation to his servant John, he writes upon it the title, “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him.” What an example for us!
35 “And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that come out of the candlestick.”
The word “and” shows that this is additional. There are four knops in the center branch, and three in the shaft, making seven in all, the perfect number; for the perfection of gift is in Christ, he has received gifts, all gifts for men. And it is beautiful to see how each several branch of ministry is sustained, as it were, by the corresponding office and grace of the Lord Jesus, as we read, “A knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same,” &c.
The evangelist, the pastor’ and the teacher all fall back on him, that out of his fullness they may receive grace for grace in the exercise of their several gifts.
36 “Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all of it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.”
How beautifully expressive of the oneness of this ministry and labor and patience! “ He that planteth and he that watereth are one,” and one in Christ. However, diversified the gift, the labor, the characters, and service of each; and though each will receive his own reward according to his own labor; yet in the end he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together. By the grace of God they are one in the service, and when the whole shall result in the glory of God they shall share in the joy.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. Differences of administrations, but the same Lord. Diversities of operations; but it is the same God which worketh all in all “ (1 Corinthians 12)
37 “And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof.”
Seven lamps, the perfection of testimony to divine truth. Six in the side branches, and one in the center shaft, making the seven. For all testimony is incomplete apart from Christ. He gives it its perfection. That ministry alone is complete according to God which has Christ for its central subject.
37 “And they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.”
Where God has given the gifts it is that they may be exercised. “No man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel, but on a candlestick.”
“That they may give light over against it.” The design of testimony in the power of the Spirit, is the manifestation of the glory of God in the person of the Lord Jesus. The whole circle of truth is to be connected with him, that it may not merely be truth, but “as the truth is in Jesus.”
How beautifully the Lord Jesus has taught this in speaking of the Comforter, through whom it is that this ministry is exercised! “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father bath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16).
Then again, the candlestick was placed in the tent of the congregation over against the table (Exodus 40: 24). So that ministry in the power of the Spirit is designed to throw its light on the solemn and sacred scenes of the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus, and in its light the sweet memorials of his redeeming love are to be set forth and realized.
Indeed, all that was done in the holy place was by the aid of its bright shining. Nature’s light was excluded by the coverings and hangings of the door. Within the holiest of all the Shekinah shed its luster; but in the first tabernacle the bright shining of this candlestick gave its light.
In Exodus 27: 20, we read: “and thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.”
How this oil is to be obtained spiritually we learn from the example of the early disciples recorded in Acts 4: 23-31: “They lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said... And now, Lord... grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
So Paul: “Brethren, pray for us”— “and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel... that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6). “Through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1: 19).
38 “And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.”
This ministry is to be kept in order, not by human authority, or on human principles, but on those which are of God, and according to God. Not by ecclesiastical courts of human organization, nor by the mere voice and will of the people (2 Timothy iv, 3); but, when needed, by godly counsel and admonition, exercised in spiritual wisdom and grace. See the example of Paul.
39 “Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.”
A talent of gold is computed to be about 1141bs. in weight, and about £5475 in value.
Ministry according to God, in the exercise of the gifts of his Spirit, and in connection with Christ, is a weighty and valuable thing.
That which gave the candlestick its weight and value was the pure gold of which it was composed: if made of any other material it would have been less so.
The highest order of natural ability however cultivated is but as inferior metal. It is the grace of God, and the gifts of Christ, exercised in the power of the Holy Ghost, which gives to ministry its true dignity, and real value.
The expression, “liberty of ministry,” has been much misunderstood. Every saved sinner is at liberty “to tell to sinners round, what a dear Savior he has found.” But this is not “ministry,” in the sense we have been considering it. The Holy Ghost uses a distinct word (Keerusso) for preaching, when it is in the exercise of the gift of the evangelist. And it had been well for the English reader if our translators had been more careful than they have been in faithfully distinguishing it. This word signifies to proclaim as an herald, with official authority.
Every believer who has had experience in the things of God is called on to look not on his own things only, but also on the things of others. And brotherly care exercised in brotherly love is our duty and our privilege. But this is not all that is expressed in the pastoral gift and office.
Everyone who is taught in the word may seek to communicate what he knows to his fellow believers, though he may not have the gift of a teacher.
“But whoso boasteth of a false gift is as clouds and wind without rain” (Proverbs xxv, 14). And oh, what confusion, disquietude, and loss of blessing must ever result when the flesh asserts its right to do what it will, and to speak as it likes! May God ever preserve his few weak, simple, gathered ones from this! Felt weakness, confessed nothingness, leaves an open door for the Lord to come in; pretense of being something when we are nothing, shuts him out.
40 “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was chewed thee in the mount.”
Oh that we were wise, that we understood this! Oh that the church of God had never departed from God’s pattern! But it is not too late; even now individual servants of Christ may return to God’s order, and individual souls may refuse to recognize the innovations and perversions of man, and liberty, and joy, and blessing, and soul progress, will, by God’s grace, be the inevitable results. May God in his infinite mercy grant it for Christ’s sake. —T. N. ‘The subject for January will be, “The Curtains of the Tabernacle.”)