Exodus 25:31-40

The Voice

This table is to be placed in a special room of the congregation tent with the elements symbolic of God’s place among His people. One of the major elements is the bread of the Presence; it is arranged in two rows of six flat loaves representing the twelve sons of Israel. There is also a pan for holding incense and pitchers for fine wine; all these elements remind God’s people of His loving grace. The golden lampstand stands nearby, bathing the room and its contents in warm light. This special room and all it contains stimulate the senses—sight, smell, touch, and taste—and serve to remind those who enter of God’s tangible blessings.

Eternal One: ³¹Fashion a lampstand out of pure, hammered gold. Make it and all its parts—its base, trunk, branches, decorative buds and blossoms, and lamp cups—out of one solid piece. ³²Six branches will extend from the trunk’s sides—three on one side and three on the other. ³³Each of the six branches will have three decorative cups shaped like almond blossoms whose buds have just flowered. ³⁴On the trunk of the lampstand, there are to be four cups shaped like almond blossoms whose buds have just flowered. ³⁵A single almond bud will sit beneath each pair of branches extending out from the trunk of the lampstand. ³⁶All the buds and branches are to be crafted out of pure, hammered gold and made to look as one solid piece. ³⁷Make seven lamps for the lampstand, and position them so that they illuminate the area in front of it. ³⁸The tools and accessories for trimming the wicks and caring for the lamps are to be made of pure gold as well. ³⁹The lampstand and all its accessories will require 75 pounds^[a] of your finest gold. ⁴⁰Be sure that you make the covenant chest, table, lampstand and all their accessories according to the pattern I have shown you on the mountain.^[b]