We’ve all been there.  There’s that drive to read the Bible from cover to cover and we do fine until we begin to hit Exodus 25.  Then all of a sudden we hit chapters and chapters on building the tabernacle.  A cubit here and this many cubits high and make it out of finely woven linen of scarlet, purple and blue.

This morning as I’m reading I’m asking the Lord to help find some kind of spiritual sustenance in this as I’m struggling in this section.  Perhaps if I were more artistic I would whip out some colored pencils and start drawing it all.

But I did come across a verse that has made me stop and ponder:

^{Ex 27:21} In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.

The lamp among all things was to be a “lasting ordinance” that they keep it burning day and night.  While they were stationary this wasn’t much work, but when they were moving I’m sure it was a bit more difficult, if that was the case.

But more than that since the tabernacle is no more and neither is the temple, then what is the figurative meaning?  Because I believe there is one.  Is the transferable reality the Holy Spirit in us?  Or one of prayer?  Or both?

We do indeed have a light…

^{Mt 5:16} In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus is often referred to as “light.”   He says of us that we are the light also.

Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” (Lk 11:36)

I don’t have all the answers, but I think Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit is a burning lamp.  And just like Moses and Aaron had to tend to the lamp night and day, I think while Jesus is the perfect light, we do well to keep our lamp burning my meditating on His Word and in prayer night and day (Psalm 1).

Not sure on all these things but pondering…