The Making of a Lampstand

This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.”

Numbers 8:4

Yesterday we started a conversation about the relationship between the lampstand and the lamp. While a lamp is the light that shines, the lampstand holds the lamp; this is the basis of our analogy, that we (believers) are the lampstand and Christ is the light and he shines through us. Today, we go a bit further by considering the construction of the lampstand in the tabernacle, which was made of “hammered gold.” This seemingly small detail holds profound symbolism for us as believers in Christ.

Gold is a precious metal known for its beauty, purity, and value. However, before it can be fashioned into intricate designs or objects, it must undergo a process called “hammering” or “beating.” This process involves shaping the gold while it is still hot, refining it through repeated strikes until it achieves the desired form.

Likewise, the making of a believer who shines forth the light of Christ to the world often involves a similar process of refinement. Just as gold is heated and pounded to remove impurities and shape it into something beautiful, so too does God refine and mold us through the trials and challenges of life.

The apostle Peter writes, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV).

As believers, we are called to reflect the light of Christ to the world around us. However, this calling often requires us to undergo a process of refinement—a process that may involve trials, hardships, and difficulties. Yet, through these refining experiences, God shapes us into vessels that can more fully radiate His glory and goodness to others.

Though the process of refinement may be painful and challenging, we can take comfort in knowing that God is at work in us, purifying our faith and making us more like Christ. As we yield to His molding, we can shine ever brighter as beacons of hope and truth in a world in desperate need of His light.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being a vessel through which your light shines forth to the world. Help me to trust you in the refining process, knowing that you are shaping me into a vessel of honor for your glory. Give me the strength and endurance to endure trials and challenges, knowing that they are working in me, a greater faith, and a deeper dependence on you. May I shine brightly for you, reflecting your love and grace to all I encounter, in Jesus’ name.