Num 8:2 “When you set up the seven lamps on the lamp stand, they should light up the area in front of it.”

At first glance this verse is a bit confusing – don’t the lamps on the seven branched menorah automatically shine forwards?

The rabbis provide insights from the Hebrew that help us better understand. They explain that the lamps on the 6 branches coming out of the menorah are all meant to point towards the lamp of the central branch. The central branch sticks out slightly, and all lights direct towards it. According to tradition, this central branch lamp never went out, but was used to reignite the other candles each morning.

To me, the central light is a picture of Yeshua (Jesus). We are all branches coming out of Him, and He lights our fire.

This picture tells us that our lights in turn always should be pointed towards and directed towards him. In other words, when we receive revelations from God, when we have testimonies to share of God’s goodness and miracles in our lives, we need to be careful that our light always directs people back towards Him. Otherwise people might be fascinated by our light and begin to see us as their source.

Our ministries and the light we shine must always be all about Him. He is the central one, He is the one who gives light. He is the source and the answer. As fellow branches in the lamp stand we are designed to give Him all the glory, Him all the honour and all the praise. To lift Him up, as He truly is the answer to everyone’s needs, He is the light that they so desperately need.

Let us direct our lights towards Him today!