the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Lamp
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary
or Much is said in the holy Scripture concerning the lamps of the temple. And when the Lord Jesus appeared to John, he was seen in the midst of the golden candlesticks (Revelation 1:12-13) And John saw before the throne, at another vision, seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, (Revelation 4:5) (See also Exodus 25:37; Exo 37:23; Numbers 8:2; Zechariah 4:2) No doubt, that besides the general use of lighting the temple, they had a reference to spiritual things, and were meant as emblems of the illuminating and brightening offices of God the Holy Ghost to the churches and people. We know that this almighty Minister in the church of Jesus, acts as "a spirit of judgment, and a spirit of burning." (Isaiah 4:4) And how blessedly he manifests the sovereignty of is power in both "convincing of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," the church of God in all ages hath borne witness. Precious are his sevenfold gifts, when by his gracious influence he penetrates the heart of the redeemed, melting by his burning the frozen affections, softening and subduing the stubborn mind, and making it willing in the day of his power. Oh, what unknown influence doth the Holy Ghost manifest in the hearts of those he makes his temple! (1 Corinthians 6:19) what light, what grace, what information, what comfort, the Lord the Spirit imparts! Oh, ye ransomed of the Lord, who know the infinite preciousness his grace, see that ye"grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption!" (Ephesians 4:30) I cannot dismiss the subject of the sacred lamps of the temple, emblems as they were of the light of the Spirit, without one observation more, namely, that it should seem, the perpetual, use of them was designed to keep alive the remembrance of his unceasing, presence, who is the light of his people. It is said in the history of Samuel, "that ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep, that the Lord called Samuel." (1 Samuel 3:3-4) Was not this emblematical of the Spirit of prophecy, that before one lamp of the Lord went out another should be lighted, before Eli was quite extinguished Samuel should be kindred? Do we not find it so through the church's history in all ages? Did not the spirit of Elijah rest on Elisha? Did not all the prophets succeed one another in their ministry, as might best promote and carry on the Lord's cause in the earth? I do not presume to speak decidely upon the subject, but if the thought be right, is there not great sweetness in that Scripture explained in reference to this view, and with an eye to the Lord Jesus? "I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed." (Psalms 132:17)
That lamps are constantly used figuratively in Scripture, I need not insist upon. The Lord is said to be the light of his people, (Psalms 27:1; Job 29:3) and even his servants, shining by his brightness, are spoken of by the same figure. Thus David was called "the lamp of Israel," 2 Samuel 21:17 and John the Baptist said to be "a burning and a shining light." (John 5:35)
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Hawker, Robert D.D. Entry for 'Lamp'. Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance and Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/pmd/l/lamp.html. London. 1828.
