HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.-The sa.c'red lamps. In this section we have, spiritually, the Divine concern that the light of revelation should be made to shine out and to illumine the whole Church of God by the ministers of his word. Consider, therefore-- I. THAT THE REPETITION HEBE OF WHAT HAD BEEN SUFFICIENTLY DECLARED BEFOBB- SHOWS THE DIVINE CONCERN ON THE SUBJECT. Even BO there •is nothing which more concerns God than that the light of his revelation in Christ should be made to shine abroad strong and clear (Matt. xxvi.ii. 19, 20; Mark xvi. 15; 1 Cor. ix. 16; 2 Cor. iv. 4-7). II. THAT THE LAMPS WERE TO BE SO ARRANGED AB THAT THEIR LIGHT SHOULD BB_ THROWN IlIGHT ACROSS THE HOLY PLACE, AND FALL UPON THE TABLE WITH ITS LOAVES. Even so the light of the gospel-without which the Church were in total darkness, as the holy place without the candelabrum-is to be so shed abroad as that it illumine the whole breadth of the Church, and fall especially upon the faithful, represented by the loaves of remembrance (John viii. 12; Acts xiii. 47; Eph. v. 14; 2 Pet. i. 19). • 111. THAT .AAlloN DID so, AS COMMANDED, AND THE LA.MPS DID BO ·SHINE. Even BO the light of revelation has never ceased to shine out in the Church, and to illumine the faithful-even if not always very brightly-amidst all the changes of time, and the commotions of the world. IV. THAT IT IS REPEATED HEBE (AS IF VERY IMPORTANT) THAT THE CANDELABRUM WAS WHOLLY OF BEATEN WORK, AND WAS MADE AFTER THE PATTERN IN THE MOUNT. As made of beaten work, it was of human art and much labour; ns made after the pattern in tl,e Mount, it was Divine in conception, and that even in detail. Exactly so is the Divine revelation which is the light of the Church on earth: in its outward presenta- tion to the senses and the understanding of men it is beholden to human labour and elaboration ; but in its essence, its "idea," it is Divine, proceeding from the mind of God. V. THAT IT IS SPECIALLY RECORDED THAT IT WAS ALL OF GOLD FROM THE CENTRAL SHAFT TO THE ORNAMENTAL FLOWERS. Even BO the revelation of God, which giveth light (Ps. cxix. 105), is altogether pure and precious from the main stem o~ se,cred history even to the lightest flowers of sacred poetry.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1--4.-The lamps of the saMtuary. This passage is to be considered !n connection with Rev. i. 9-20. Moses had revelations in Sinai even as John had m Potmos. Matt. v. 14-16 will serve for a link to connect the two passages. I. THERE WAS A TIME TO LIGHT THE LAMPS. "When thou lightest the lamps." IJressing tL.cm was morning work: they were then ready for Aaron to light " at even'' oa. vrn. 1-4.J THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 67
(Exod. xxx. 7, 8). The light was symbolic only when it was clearly useful. By day no light was needed, but it was fitting that at night the holy place of him who is light and in whom is no darkness at all, should be well illuminated. Seven is said to be a number of perfection; if we take it so seven lamps would denote perfect illumina- tion. Similarly the Churches of Christ are to be as lamps in a darkened world, that by their light the things of God may be discerned. The words to the seven Churches nre thus words to every Church, admonishing it to tend and replenish the lamp that has been lighted at even. II. TBE LAMPS WERE TO BE LIGHTED OVER AGAINST THE CANDLESTICK. This, taken together with the reference in ver. 4 to the construction of the candlestick, seems to indicate that the candlestick with its richness and beauty was to be revealed by the lamps. Bezaleel and Aholiab had been specially endowed to make this and like elaborate work (Exod. xxxv. 30-35; xxxvii. 17-24). If the Churches then are aR the lamps, we may take the candlestick to signify the doctrines, the promises, the duties the revelations to be found in the word of God. Law and gospel are inter- mingl~d by prophet and apostle in a splendour and richness of which Bezaleel's work was a feeble type. The candlestick supports the lamps, which in tum reveal the candlestick. The truthP of God's word are in charge of his Churches. They rest upon that word, and their lives, conspicuous for abiding purity and brightness, must recommend the word. The lamps must reveal that the candlestick holds them, and it must be made obvious that the candlestick is for this purpose. III. IT WAS AARON WHO LIGHTED THESE LAMPS, and so it is from Christ the true Aaron that every Church gets its light. We cannot recommend God's word by anything save the holy, beautiful, benign life which his Son, by the Spirit, can create within us. Then, and only then, will our light so shine that men will glorify our Father who is in heaven. IV. THE LAMPS REVEALED THE GLORY 01!' AARON'S OWN VEBTUBE-those holy garments which were for glory and beauty. Read carefully Exod. xxviii, and then consider that Aaron arrayed in all these splendours was the type of the true Intercessor afterwards to come. That is an unworthy Church which does not reveal much of Christ; which does not, by the shining of its life, attract attention more and more to the glories of his person. We cannot glorify our Father in heaven, unless by glorifying the Son whom he has sent. Lessons: -1. That which is useful may also be beautiful, and in its use its beauty will be revealed. 2. The candlestick was something permanent, made of gold, and not needing renewal. We have no occasion for a i;i.ew, an altered, or an increased gospel ; all required of us is to show it forth, by daily replenishings from the beaten oil of the sanctuary.-Y.