Empowered by the Holy Spirit – 17

Key Scripture:

Isaiah 11:2 – The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

The Seven Spirits of the Lord and the Menorah
Let’s dive into the significance of the Menorah, an incredible piece of furniture in God’s tabernacle and temple. I mentioned a Ghanian Pastor teaching me how to pray for myself using Isaiah 11:2. This was a major turning point for my personal prayer life and now, I want to begin to share some of what I gleaned over the years.

The first mention of this Menorah lampstand is in the Book of Exodus, where God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle. He provided specific and precise instructions for every aspect of the tabernacle, including its furnishings. The Menorah is one such essential item.

God instructed Moses to place the Menorah inside the tabernacle, specifically in the Holy Place. This area houses four significant pieces of furniture: the Table of Showbread, the Menorah, the Altar of Incense, and the heavy curtains that separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. In the Holy of Holies, there is only one item—the Ark of the Covenant.

The Role of the Menorah
The Holy Place has no natural light; the only illumination comes from the Menorah. This lampstand symbolizes the light of the Holy Spirit, illuminating the spiritual understanding of God’s Word.

The Table of Showbread, representing the Word of God and His promises, is significant as well. It symbolizes the revelation of God through His Word. As Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35), He embodies the Word of God.

Now, what is the connection between the Menorah and the Table of Showbread? It’s simple yet profound: without the Spirit of God illuminating the Word, we cannot fully understand or grasp its meaning. The Holy Spirit reveals the Scriptures to us, enabling us to comprehend and imbibe the Word of God.

Consider how John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Messiah: he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him and remain (John 1:32-33). This was the sign God had given him.

The Altar of Incense
Next, we encounter the Altar of Incense, which represents our prayers, praise, and worship. Through the Spirit, as the Word of God is revealed, we are empowered to pray according to God’s will and worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

The Menorah in the Holy Place assists the priest in understanding the Word of God, praying the Word, and worshiping the Lord in light of His revelation.

The Heavy Curtains
Finally, we have the heavy curtains that separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where we come face to face with God. The journey begins with receiving revelation from the Word through the Spirit. This revelation inspires us to pray and worship God genuinely. As we allow the Spirit to lead us, our worship draws us into God’s presence, allowing us to cross into the Holy of Holies.

This process underscores the necessity of the Spirit; without Him, we cannot know God’s Word, pray effectively, or worship as we ought. The Menorah serves as a powerful symbol of the Spirit of God, guiding us to the inner sanctuary of God.

Jesus, The Menorah and the Tabernacle!

Jesus embodies the ultimate fulfillment of the symbolism found in the Menorah and the tabernacle. The Menorah, with its seven branches representing the seven spirits of God, reflects how Jesus, as the Light of the World (John 8:12), illuminates our understanding of Scripture and God’s presence. The tabernacle, serving as a dwelling place for God among His people, points to Jesus as the true tabernacle, where heaven meets earth (John 1:14). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus invites us into intimate communion with God, illuminating our path and revealing the deep truths of His Word.

Our Role as Temples of the Holy Spirit
The Bible also teaches that we are the temples of God, and His Spirit dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). As born-again believers, we have the Spirit of God residing in us. Proverbs 20:27 states, “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord.”

When we are filled with the Spirit, our spirits are illuminated with the seven-fold manifestations described in Isaiah 11:2. This revelation is transformative; it revolutionized my own prayer life. I often ask the Holy Spirit to light up my spirit with these manifestations, making Scripture come alive and worship transcendent.

As the Psalmist said, “Deep calls unto deep” (Psalm 42:7). Through the Spirit, we can transcend the flesh, engage the soul and commune with our spirits with the living God, and experience His presence in profound ways. Afterall, we are tripartite. We are spirits, with a soul and living in a body.

Let us embrace the truth that the Menorah is not simply a piece of furniture; it is a powerful symbol of the Spirit of God leading us into the depths of His presence.

Let us Pray: Holy Spirit, we thank you for opening our understanding. Today, we ask you to please fill our spirits with the Spirit of The Lord, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Light up the lamp of God within us and give us that power to live as witnesses to Jesus Christ. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.