The Menorah lampstand is the first item of furnishing on the left side of the Holy Place. The menorah lamp stand is a series of branches, places opposite each other, supported by a single central column that rises above the others. (Note: The Left-side, in Hebrew thought, is a symbol of ‘the physical/seen’. The Right-side is representative of all that is “spiritual/unseen”. )
The Menorah Lamp is also a pattern of thinking/teaching used by God throughout Scripture to direct us to understand His central concerns in the midst of many possible options.
In the pattern, each branch represents some aspect of a central thought. Those on one side will balance or contrast to those opposite them. Those on the right hand will be more spiritual, unseen, or internal in nature, while those on the left hand will be visible, tangible, and external in their nature. The central or chief focus of a menorah pattern teaching will be revealed in the central trait or element in the pattern. This central element will be the greatest, highest, most complete, purest, or perfected version of the other elements. The central element reveals God’s ultimate goal for us.
In the two familiar New Testament examples (one in this post and a second in a following post), I have arranged the elements that contrast to each other by placing them together. If you read them in the normal text, you’ll see that they are listed at opposite ends from one another. I have added comments drawn from the contrast of the elements pairs.
If, following the Menorah Lamp’s physical outline, they were written from right to left (as Hebrew is written), they would follow a pattern that set them at opposite to each other (as I have done for you) such that the first in the list stands opposed to the last in the list, the second stands opposed to the next to the last, etc. Eventually, one element stands alone. This central element/column is the completion or goal of all the others.
Again, keep in mind that elements on the right of the Menorah will be more internal or unseen, while those on the left more physical (though not necessarily carnal) or visible. The central element is the perfect balance of both the spirit/unseen and the physical/unseen.
· Blessed are Poor in Spirit
(The humble in Spirit. Those who exhibit a personal and truthful recognition of the evil within themselves.)
· Blessed are you when men persecute you, saying all kinds of evil against you, falsely, on my account.
(The haughty in Spirit. Those who will not truthfully recognize the good within others.)
These first menorah branches represent a broad gap between those who judge because they lack the Spirit of God and those who will not be judged because they possess the Spirit of God.
· Blessed are those who mourn
(Those persons who painfully recognize their own unrighteousness before God.)
· Blessed are those who are persecuted. (The self-righteous who inflict pain to those seeking the righteousness of God.)
The next branches illustrate recognition of the fact of righteousness and the fact that people do not measures up.
· Blessed are the meek. (Those who willingly submit to God.)
· Blessed are Peacemakers. (Those who willingly submit to others).
At this point, the branches are no longer far apart. In them we see the Law of the Spirit working together in relation to God and others.
· Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Those whose desires for God are as strong as their physical desires.)
. Blessed are pure in heart. (Those whose spiritual desires come from deep within.
These branches are almost identical, each an illustration of the effect of God’s Spirit at work outside and in.
· Blessed are the merciful. They will be shown mercy. (Those who show mercy to others, receive mercy from God)
This is the chief aim of the other branches. Mercy toward others is the attribute of God that is most blessed. It is the Spirit of God’s law being fully completed or matured in a person.
If there is any question that mercy is at the central point of Jesus’s message in Matthew 5, just continue to read a few verses and find him elaborating:
v. 21 “You have heard it said, ‘Do not murder.’ (Mercy is the antithesis of Murder.)
v. 23 “Go be reconciled to your brother.” (Mercy is the sacrifice of the self/ego for the good of another.)
v. 39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” (Mercy is unconditional love.)
v. 47 “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mercifulness is a sign of Christlikeness and spiritual maturity.)
The striking contrast between the branches at the base as well as the similarities between those nearer the top serve to illuminate to us the central teaching that Jesus is emphasizing: What God prizes as of chief importance is people, not religious ceremony. Those who follow his way become a ‘light to the world’ and an extension of His merciful efforts to reveal to the whole earth how life may be lived with joy in abundance.