Exodus 27:20,21

Exodus 27:20,21 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel. One of the interesting features of the Tabernacle, and then later the Temple, was the golden candlestick. It had seven oil lights and was to be kept burning 24/7. It was never to go out. Actually, the Jews today have a celebration involving the candlestick every year around Christmas time. It is called Hanukkah, or the Feast of Lights. About two hundred years before Jesus was born, the Jews rebelled and declared their independence from their Greek overlords. During the rebellion, Jerusalem was surrounded and besieged. The Jews had little food and no olive oil for the light in the Temple. But, miraculously, the light continued to burn for eight days when it should have gone out. The Jews gained their freedom and re-dedicated the Temple. In John 8:12, Jesus says that He is the light of the world. And then in Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls Christians the light of the world. The menorah is a beautiful picture on Jesus, the light of the world. We should shine as the lights of Jesus telling others of His salvation.