Numbers 8:2

_SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND SAY UNTO HIM, WHEN THOU LIGHTEST THE LAMPS, THE SEVEN LAMPS SHALL GIVE LIGHT OVER AGAINST THE CANDLESTICK._ SPEAK UNTO AARON ... The candlestick, which was made of one solid, massy piece of pure gold, with six lamps supported on as many branches, a seventh in the center surmounting the shaft itself (Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17), and completed according to the pattern shown in the mount, was now to be lighted, when the other things in the sanctuary began to be applied to religious service. It was Aaron's personal duty, as the servant of God, to light His house, which, being without windows, required the aid of lights (2 Peter 1:19). And the course he was ordered to follow was first to light t

2_When thou lightest the lamps. _This precept, like many others, is not inserted in its proper place. Moses again declares what was the use of the candlestick, and how the lamps should be arranged, so that their light might be spread through the sanctuary, and that the brightness of the gold might shine over against them; for this was the reason why God would have the lamps lighted _against the face of, _or opposite to, the candlestick, that the very stand of the light might retain its beauty. Moreover, it is expressly stated that Aaron obeyed God’s command, as if in no despicable matter, as he had received it from Moses. To this also refers what immediately follows, that it was made “according unto the pattern” which Moses had seen in the mount; and this was, as I have before explained it, that God is the Father of lights, who illuminates His Church by His Spirit, that it may not wander...

1-4 Aaron himself lighted the lamps, thus representing his Divine Master. The Scripture is a light shining in a dark place, 2 Peter 1:19. A dark place even the church would be without it; as the tabernacle, which had no window, would have been without the lamps. The work of ministers is to light these lamps, by expounding and applying the word of God. Jesus Christ is the only Light of our dark, sinful world; and by his atonement, by his word and the Holy Spirit, he diffuses light around....

Verse Numbers 8:2. _THE SEVEN LAMPS SHALL GIVE LIGHT_] The whole seven shall be lighted at one time, that seven may be ever burning....

The actual lighting of the lamps (compare the marginal references) was to be done to set forth symbolically the special presence which God had now Numbers 7:89 actually established among His people....

EXPOSITION THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS (Numbers 8:1). NUMBERS 8:1 THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES. It does not appear when. The attempt of modern commentators to find a real connection between this section and the offering of the princes or the consecration of the Levites is simply futile. Such connection may be imagined, but the same ingenuity would obviously be equally successful if this section had been inserted in any other place from Exodus 37:1, to the end of this book. The more probable explanation will be given below....

SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND SAY UNTO HIM,.... It being his work to light the lamps, though, as Ben Gersom observes, it was not incumbent on an high priest alone to do this, for it also belonged to the sons of Aaron, who were common priests, Exodus 27:21; though it is probable that as this was the first time of lighting them, it might be done by Aaron himself, his sons attending and assisting him; in which he was an eminent type of Christ, the great High Priest, who lights the lamps in all his golden candlesticks, the churches, Revelation 1:20, and from whom they have all their light and all the supplies of it: WHEN THOU LIGHTEST THE LAMPS; which was done at evening, Exodus 30:8; pointing at the great light se

6. THE CONSECRATION OF THE LEVITES CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The lighting of the candlestick (Numbers 8:1)_ 2. The consecration of the Levites (Numbers 8:5) 3. The charge to the Levites repeated (Numbers 8:23) The candlestick is the type of Christ as in the sanctuary, that is, Christ in glory. The lighting of the seven lamps introduced in the beginning of the wilderness book is of blessed meaning. The seven lamps were to illuminate the candlestick of beaten gold, throw their light upon the candlestick so that the gold and beautiful workmanship might be seen. The oil in the seven lamps represents the Holy Spirit. Spiritually applied we have the picture here of the Spirit of God shedding light upon Chri

DIRECTIONS RELATING TO THE CANDLESTICK. An account of the candlestick (really a lampstand) is contained in Exodus 25:31 *. NUMBERS 8:2. LIGHTEST: render as in _mg._ (and so in Numbers 8:3). GIVE LIGHT. CANDLESTICK: _ i.e._ illuminate the opposite (N.) wall of the Holy Place, the candlestick being on the S. side. FLOWERS: flower-like ornaments....

THE. the face of the. CANDLESTICK. light-holder (as in Genesis 1:14), or lampstand. Compare Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17....