Lighting

In Numbers chapter seven 'when Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings.' For the next twelve days a different tribe brought offerings that were to dedicate the alter; silver plates, finest flour mixed with olive oil, gold dishes filled with incense, young bulls, rams, goats, male lambs and oxen

Then came the climax of the proceedings as Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, days of sacrifice had been leading up to this moment. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was about to speak to his servant Moses. What would he say? What would be Gods instruction? What would be the culmination of this incredibly important event? What would be the first words from the divine mouth?

God said to Moses, 'speak to Aaron and say to him, when you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’ (Numbers 8:1) Can that be right, God's first words were to ensure that the lighting was right, that the tabernacle had the correct ambiance? God would go on to instruct Moses about the Levitical priesthood, the Passover and other important issues, but correct lighting came first?

Looking at various commentaries there are suggestions that the lamps point to the 'let there be light' command in the Genesis account of creation, to Christ as Light of the World in the Gospels and to the Bible as the source of God's revelation to mankind. Whilst there is clearly truth in these explanations could the simplest explanation be that the tabernacle had no windows and therefore needed light? God wanted his people to see when they approached him, he didn't want them stumbling in the dark

Perhaps the lighting department at IKEA has more importance than I thought!