Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Seven lamps on the lampstand's seven arms. The lamps are positioned to light the space in front of the lampstand — specifically, toward the north side of the Holy Place, lighting the table of the bread of the Presence. The orientation of the light is not omnidirectional but focused: the lampstand illuminates the table where the bread is placed. The light of God's presence shines on the bread of the presence — the two pieces of furniture are in covenant with each other through the light. Psalm 27:1 says the Lord is my light and my salvation — the light of the lampstand in the sanctuary is the spatial enactment of the divine light that the psalm celebrates.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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