Exodus 25:38
The wick trimmers and their trays must be of pure gold.
The wick trimmers
The Hebrew word for "wick trimmers" is "מלקחים" (melqachayim), which refers to tools used for trimming the wicks of the lamps in the tabernacle. This task was essential for maintaining the light, symbolizing the need for continual spiritual vigilance and purity. In a broader spiritual context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's need to regularly examine and refine their spiritual life, ensuring that their light shines brightly before others (Matthew 5:16).

and their trays
The Hebrew term "מחתות" (machtot) refers to the trays or pans used to hold the trimmed wicks and ashes. These trays were necessary for maintaining cleanliness and order in the tabernacle, reflecting the importance of holiness and purity in worship. The trays' function underscores the need for believers to remove impurities from their lives, as emphasized in 2 Corinthians 7:1, which calls for cleansing from all defilement of body and spirit.

must be of pure gold
The use of "pure gold" (זהב טהור, zahav tahor) signifies the highest quality and value, symbolizing the divine nature and glory of God. Gold, being a precious and incorruptible metal, represents the eternal and unchanging nature of God's holiness. The requirement for these items to be made of pure gold highlights the sacredness of the tabernacle and the worship conducted within it. It serves as a reminder that our service to God should be of the highest quality, reflecting His glory and majesty. This aligns with 1 Peter 1:7, which speaks of faith being more precious than gold, refined by fire to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the Tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

3. Lampstand (Menorah)
A key element in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the light of God and His presence.

4. Wick Trimmers and Trays
Tools used for maintaining the lampstand, ensuring the light remained pure and constant.

5. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to follow His commandments and maintain the Tabernacle as a place of worship.
Teaching Points
Purity in Worship
The use of pure gold for the wick trimmers and trays signifies the importance of purity in our worship and service to God. Just as the tools were made of pure gold, our hearts and actions should be pure and dedicated to God.

Maintaining the Light
The role of the wick trimmers was to ensure the lampstand's light remained bright and clear. Similarly, we must be diligent in maintaining our spiritual light through prayer, study, and obedience to God's Word.

Symbolism of Light
The lampstand's light represents God's presence and guidance. As believers, we are called to reflect His light in the world, living as examples of His love and truth.

Attention to Detail in Service
The specific instructions for the Tabernacle, including the wick trimmers, highlight the importance of attention to detail in our service to God. Every aspect of our worship should be intentional and reverent.

God's Provision and Design
The detailed design of the Tabernacle and its furnishings shows God's provision and care for His people. Trusting in His design for our lives leads to a deeper relationship with Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of pure gold for the wick trimmers and trays reflect the nature of our worship and service to God today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our spiritual light remains bright and clear, similar to the maintenance of the lampstand in the Tabernacle?

3. How does the symbolism of light in the Tabernacle connect to Jesus' teaching in the New Testament about being the light of the world?

4. What can we learn from the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle about the importance of reverence and attention to detail in our worship practices?

5. How does understanding God's provision and design for the Tabernacle encourage us to trust His plan and purpose for our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 24:1-4
This passage provides further instructions on the care of the lampstand, emphasizing the importance of keeping the light burning continually.

Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus calls His followers the light of the world, drawing a parallel to the lampstand's role in the Tabernacle.

Revelation 1:12-13
The vision of the seven golden lampstands in Revelation connects to the lampstand in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the churches and the presence of Christ among them.
The Ark, the Table, and the CandlestickJ. Orr Exodus 25:10-40
What Must be Found with Every Soul that is God's Dwelling-PlaceJ. Urquhart Exodus 25:10-40
The CandlestickD. Young Exodus 25:31-40
People
Israelites, Moses, Shoham
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Best, Dishes, Gold, Instruments, Pure, Snuff, Snuffdishes, Snuff-dishes, Snuffers, Snuff-trays, Thereof, Tongs, Trays, Trimmers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 25:38

     4333   gold

Exodus 25:31-40

     5373   lamp and lampstand

Library
The Bread of the Presence
'Thou shalt set upon the table shew-bread before Me alway.'--EXODUS xxv. 30. I suspect that to many readers the term 'shew-bread' conveys little more meaning than if the Hebrew words had been lifted over into our version. The original expression, literally rendered, is 'bread of the face'; or, as the Revised Version has it in the margin, 'presence bread,' and the meaning of that singular designation is paraphrased and explained in my text: 'Thou shalt set upon the table, bread of the presence before
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Golden Lampstand
'Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold....' --EXODUS xxv. 31. If we could have followed the Jewish priest as he passed in his daily ministrations into the Inner Court, we should have seen that he first piled the incense on the altar which stood in its centre, and then turned to trim the lamps of the golden candlestick which flanked it on one side. Of course it was not a candlestick, as our versions misleadingly render the word. That was an article of furniture unknown in those days. It was a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
"Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.... And there I will meet with thee." --EXODUS xxv. 10-22. I must put my best into my preparations, and then the Lord will honour my work. My part is to be of "pure gold" if my God is to dwell within it. I must not satisfy myself with cheap flimsy and then assume that the Lord will be satisfied with it. He demands my very best as a condition of His enriching Presence. My prayers must be of "pure gold" if He is to meet me there. There must be nothing vulgar
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus,
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Kingdom Forming
Exodus Page Leviticus Page Deuteronomy Page EXODUS I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. V. 1706 B.C. to 1490 B.C., making 216 years. VI. 1. 1 to 18. Israel Delivered. 2. 19 to 34. Israel Taught at Mount Sinai. 3. 35 to 40. Israel Prepared for Worship. VII. Chapter 20.2. VIII. God Delivering a Nation. IX. 12:13: "And when I see the blood I will pass over you." 15:11. X. 1. Bondage. 2. 3. Burning Bush. 7-11. 12. 14. Red Sea. 15. 16. Manna. 20. 25 and 35. The
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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