THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #199 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #180

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3885

THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #199

THE LIFE OF MOSES #180

MOSES AT MT.SINAI#79

THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES ( Part 38)

THE MENORAH #8

LESSON FROM THE 4TH VISION OF ZECHARIAH: The Temple Menorah Flanked by Two Olive Trees(4:1-14)

An angel shows Zechariah a golden Lampstand being fed oil from two olive trees. 

The two olive trees are symbolic of Zerubbabel the governor of Judah and Joshua the high priest. The golden lampstand represents the temple and temple-worshiping community. 

God was making the point that He would once again work through His people to lay the foundation of the Temple and finish the work.

This fourth vision emphasized God’s blessing. As Israel returns to Jerusalem and rebuilds the Temple, they will find God’s favor. The work will be accomplished, “‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (4:6).

The reference to Olive Oil as an empowering fuel describes the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Paul used the word "poured" in Romans 5:5 to describe the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Romans 5:5 ( Amplified Bible )

"Such hope (in God’s promises) never disappoints us, 

because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Romans 5 begins by describing some of the benefits that come with being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Christ. We have peace with God, and we stand in His grace. We rejoice both in the hope of God's glory and in our temporary suffering. We have hope that will not disappoint, because God has already proved His love for us.

And as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we need His empowerment which is the Agape love of God.

Why?

Faith is belief in the reality of the past - the finished work of the Cross - although we weren't there.

Hope is belief in the reality of the future - the realisation of  all of God's  promises to us in the future - they they will surely come to pass.

Love is the belief in the reality of the present- that will carry us from our glorious past to an even more glorious future in Christ.

To love sacrificially now in true Agape love is to invite suffering, discomfort and inconvenience for the sake of others.

But our hope is made certain and will not fail us as Paul says if we appropriate the love of God and "grow and glow" for Jesus like the olive oil in the Menorah that will light up our lives from here to eternity.

Of the three, the greatest is love. Why?  Because it is stronger than the grave ( death ) as it  transcends even time itself. 

Indeed it is the power of God's love - however cliched that may sound - that will carry us through life and death and beyond 

And it is this present faith in the love of God that makes life meaningful, assured and worth living for.

For at salvation, we are permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself (Acts 5:3–4). 

Christ affirmed that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be with His followers always (John 14:16). 

Also, Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them “to the very end of the age”—a promise that includes present-day believers (Matthew 28:20). 

One of the clearest statement of God's love is given in    Hebrews 13:5 which says, in part, “He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'” ( NKJV). 

This same  statement is found in the Old Testament when Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:6-8

God's love is thus  faithful like a timeless covenant, an unbreakable promise on His part.  

And faith, love and hope are the hallmarks of our past, present and future life in Christ.

Such is the wonderful lesson from the eternal symbol of the Menorah for Israel and us.

Indeed Hebrews 13:8 ( Amplified Bible ) is a timely reminder that:

"Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever."