I AM…

Before the beginning of time, God was and is (Revelation 1:4) and He shines forth into the darkness, our darkness (2 Peter 1: 19).

God has manifested His glory in many ways and long ago, even before of the prophets, the Spirit of God used a golden lampstand to reflect His light … His glorious character, so that we would see Him and know Him. I AM is His name (Exodus 3:14).

“Make a lampstand of pure gold. The whole lampstand, including its decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered gold with three branches on each of its two sides. There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch and four on the stem. There must also be a blossom where each pair of branches comes out from the stem. The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered pure gold. The lamp on the top and those at the end of each of its six branches must be made so as to shine toward the front of the lampstand” (Exodus 25: 31-37).

The lampstand was not an ordinary candlestick. It was uniquely constructed and God, Himself gave the pattern (Exodus 25:40). It was not to be made of wood with a gold overlay, nor would it be poured into a mold with gold accoutrements attached to it. This piece was to be skillfully and exquisitely crafted of one solid piece of hammered gold forming an intricate and delicate design, Gods design (Exodus 37:17). Only a master artist could follow the blueprint to specification and envision the completed work (Exodus 36:1).

It is mystifying that God would choose to also incorporate almond blossoms into the design. The branches of the lampstand would have flower cups shaped into delicate almond blossoms around the shaft depicting both bud and petal. Almond branches hold great significance and meaning within the pages of history ( Genesis 30: 37; Numbers 17: 8; Jeremiah 1:11), but more than this, God simply uses all forms of beauty to manifest His nature, knops and flowers, golden lampstands, the light of His word and His character to shine forth into our darkness. He longs for us to see Him and know Him as He truly is.

I am praying for you… that God will open your eyes to the light of His presence and you will see the great I AM.

I am praying for you … that you will experience His scandalous mercy and find Him mighty to save.