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2 Chronicles 4:7
And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and setthem in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

Exodus 25:31-37
And thou shalt make a candlestickof pure gold:of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same…

burn after

Exodus 27:20,21
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…

the oracle

1 Kings 6:5,16,17
And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about,against the walls of the house round about,both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: …

1 Kings 8:6
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holyplace, even under the wings of the cherubims.

Psalm 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

and their lamps
The lamps on the lampstands were essential for providing light within the temple, symbolizing the presence of God and His guidance. In a spiritual sense, the lamps can be seen as a representation of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the hearts and minds of believers. The continual burning of the lamps signifies the perpetual nature of God's presence and His eternal covenant with His people. This imagery is echoed inRevelation 1:12-13, where Jesus is depicted among the lampstands, symbolizing His presence among the churches.

to burn in front of the inner sanctuary
The inner sanctuary, also known as the Holy of Holies, was the most sacred part of the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The placement of the lampstands in front of the inner sanctuary highlights their role in illuminating the path to God's presence. This arrangement underscores the importance of light in worship and the need for spiritual illumination to approach God. The inner sanctuary was a place of restricted access, entered only by the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2-34), prefiguring Christ's role as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12).

as prescribed
The phrase "as prescribed" indicates adherence to divine instructions, emphasizing the importance of following God's commands in worship. The detailed prescriptions for temple furnishings and rituals were given to ensure that worship was conducted in a manner pleasing to God. This obedience to divine instruction is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the necessity of aligning human actions with God's will. The careful observance of these prescriptions reflects a heart of reverence and submission to God's authority, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-27) and later in the New Testament teachings on worship (John 4:24).

– These were the seven-branched menorahs Solomon set inside the temple, replicating the pattern first revealed to Moses (Exodus 25:31-37,Hebrews 8:5).

– Their presence testifies that God’s instructions in Exodus were not symbolic suggestions but precise blueprints meant to be carried out literally (Exodus 40:4).

– By supplying multiple lampstands (1 Kings 7:49) instead of the single one in the tabernacle, Solomon magnified the light, picturing the greater glory of the permanent temple.

– Scripture notes, “The lampstands of pure gold” (2 Chronicles 4:20), emphasizing both value and purity.

– Gold, the most precious and incorruptible metal available, pointed to the holiness of God’s presence (Revelation 21:18, 21).

– Using anything less than pure gold would have compromised the symbolism of absolute purity required to stand before the LORD (Psalm 24:3-4).

– Each stand held individual lamps that received beaten olive oil (Leviticus 24:2).

– Practically, the lamps illuminated the Holy Place so priests could minister; spiritually, they pictured God’s Word that “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

–Revelation 1:12-13 later draws on the same imagery, identifying lampstands with the testimony of the churches.

– The fire was not decorative; it was functional and continuous: “the lamps shall be kept burning continually” (Leviticus 24:2-4).

– Continual flame illustrated God’s perpetual watchfulness and the unending availability of light for those who seek Him (Psalm 121:4,John 8:12).

– The lampstands stood immediately before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the ark rested (Exodus 26:33-35).

– Their placement highlighted humanity’s need for divine illumination just outside God’s immediate throne room, anticipating the veil being torn in Christ (Matthew 27:51,Hebrews 10:19-20).

– The phrase underscores obedience to the exact pattern God set forth (Exodus 25:40).

– Solomon did not innovate; he submitted, demonstrating that true worship conforms to revealed instruction, not human creativity (Deuteronomy 12:32).

– Blessing flowed because they honored God’s prescribed order (1 Chronicles 28:19-20).

2 Chronicles 4:20 records more than temple furnishings; it affirms the necessity of pure, obedient worship. The golden lampstands, fashioned exactly as God commanded, burned continually before the veil, symbolizing His holy light shining on those who serve Him. Their placement, purity, and perpetual flame combine to teach that approaching God requires illumination from Him, compliance with His Word, and lives marked by unceasing devotion.