In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said “And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, ...”, and in chapter four and verse two of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the angel showed him, “a candlestick all of gold” where we read,
And said unto me, What see you? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
The verse reads, “And said unto me, What see you?” Zechariah began with the words, “and said unto me” or “and he, the angel, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked me”, “what see you” which means “whatsoever do you, Zechariah, perceive, discern and observe”? Zechariah shared how the “angel” questioned him as to what he observed.
The verse continues, “And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, ...” Zechariah added the words, “and I said” or “and I, Zechariah, uttered, declared, proclaimed and responded”, “I have looked” which means “I, Zechariah, have perceived, discerned and observed”, “and behold a candlestick” or “and lo, look and consider a lamp stand” “all of gold” which means “the whole, totally and in every part fashioned with golden metal”, “with a bowl upon the top of it” or “including or in the company of a spring or basin on the summit, tip and chief part of the lamp stand”, “and his seven lamps thereon” which means “and the lamp stand included seven other candle lights upon it”. Zechariah shared how he told the “angel” that he observed a golden lamp stand that included a bowl and seven other candle lights on the upper part of it.
Finally the verse says, “... and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:” Zechariah concluded this verse with the words, “and seven pipes” or “and seven casting tubes” “to the seven lamps” which means “connected to the seven candle lights”, “which are upon the top thereof” or “that were on the summit, tip and chief part of the lamp stand”. Zechariah ended this verse by describing the seven casted tubes which were connected to the seven candlelights that were located on the summit part of the lamp stand.
When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the “angel” showed him a golden lamp stand that was an original part of the tabernacle or temple where people worshiped God. (See Exodus 25:31-38) This lamp stand had a basin on top which held oil that traveled down tubes toward seven “lamps” or “candle lights” which would burn continually as a symbol of the presence of God among His people. We shall see more about this lamp stand in our next few verses, but for now let us be reminded that God wants us to know He is with us. (See Acts 17:38) God desires an intimate personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus whom He sent into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and Jesus was raised from the dead three days later. Now all who put their faith and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord”, will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the ability to live in His presence for all eternity.
Next time Zechariah shares how the angel shows him, “two olive trees”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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