Another study originally posted Dec
2012 with reference also back to
2010.
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2012/bruceb123-2.htm
Bruce Baber
(3 Dec
2012)
"DOES THE NINE BRANCHED MENORAH
SEEM UNIQUELY RELATED TO HANUKKAH AND POINT TO
THE NEW TESTAMENT?"
The menorah. Some menorahs have seven
branches. Some have nine. The seven branched
menorah is significantly related to the Old
Testament. Is the nine branched menorah pointing to
the New Testament and to Hanukkah in particular?
Look
at wikipedia for a description of the menorah and you get
the following...
Menorah
has two principal meanings:
·
Menorah
(Temple), a seven-branched lampstand used in the ancient
Tabernacle in the desert and Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol
of Judaism since ancient times and the emblem of the
modern state of Israel
·
Menorah
(Hanukkah), a nine-branched candelabrum used on the
Jewish holiday of
Hanukkah, commemorating the above.
I
made bold the two mentions of Hanukkah for emphasis.
The
nine branched menorah (and its connection to Hanukkah)
makes me think of two visions. The first is in
Zechariah.
4
Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me,
as a man who is wakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?”
So
I said, “I am looking, and there
is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of
it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes
to the seven lamps.
3 Two olive trees are by it, one at
the right of the bowl and the other at its left.”
4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who
talked with me, saying, “What
are these, my lord?”
The
vision goes on...
6
So
he answered and said to me:
“This
is the word of the Lord to
Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord
of hosts.
7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Grace!
Now continuing...
11
Then
I answered and said to him, “What
are these two olive trees—at the right of the
lampstand and at its left?”
12 And I further answered and said to him, “What
are these two olive branches that
drip into the receptacles[b]
of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil
drains?”
13
Then
he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these
are?”
And
I said, “No, my lord.”
14
So
he said, “These
are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the
Lord of the whole earth.”
The
Lord's answer in verse 14 points us to John's vision in
Revelations 11.
3
And
I will give
power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy
one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in
sackcloth.”
4
These
are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing
before the God of the earth.
Recently,
Gary Stearman of Prophecy in the News did a similar
association. The nine branched menorah seems to
point to Hanukkah and New Testament grace. Back in
November 2010, I posted several things about the
menorah. In one of my letters about the menorah
I asked... "Could
Hanukkah be the celebration we are all waiting for?"
I
also posted this study in 2010.
"Interesting
that the middle lamp of the menorah failed at around 30
A.D. according to Jewish sources. They don't state that it
happened when Jesus was crucified (they wouldn't go that
far). But they do state that around 30 A.D. the middle
lamp failed. History is fascinating.
"The
lamps of the menorah were lit daily from fresh,
consecrated olive oil and burned from evening until
morning, according to Exodus 27:21."
"The
Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus states that three
of the seven lamps were allowed to burn during the day
also; however, according to the Talmud (Rashi,
Tractate Shabbat 22b), only the center lamp was left
burning all day, into which as much oil was put as into
the others. Although all the other lights were
extinguished, that light burned oil, in spite of the fact
that it had been kindled first. This miracle according to
the Talmud (Tractate Menahot 86b) was taken as a sign that
the Shechinah rested over Israel.It
was called the
ner hama'aravi (Western lamp) because of its
position. This lamp was also referred to as the
ner Elohim (lamp of God), mentioned in I Samuel
3:3."
"The
miracle of the
ner hama'aravi ended about 40 years before the
destruction of the Temple (circa 30 c.e.) according the
Talmud Tractate (Yoma 39a), "Our Rabbis taught: During the
last forty years before the destruction of the Temple(that
is to say around 30ad) the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not
come up in the right ...hand; nor did the crimson-coloured
strap become white; nor did the westernmost light shine"
(wikipedia)
I've
forgotten the source (apologies), but I also quoted
this...
"Chanukah
(Hanukkah)is a preparation for the forthcoming Messianic
era. These days are called "Chanukah" because they are a
Chinuch – education/preparation – accustoming us to the
final redemption. During the candle lighting we are
treated to a resemblance of the illumination of the Or
Haganuz – hidden primordial light – which will radiate in
full glory in the days of Mashiach/Messiah. The candles
and light of Chanukah are analogous to Torah and mitzvoth
(commandments) as King Shlomo said, "For a mitzvah is a
candle and Torah is light" (Proverbs 6:23). During
Chanukah an increase in Torah study is preferred since
through the Ohr Chadash – new light of Torah that we add
in the world we will accomplish the purpose of creation
and merit the revelation of the new light, the light of
Mashiach/Messiah."
The
nine branched menorah is used
during Hanukkah and points us to the
Messiah. Jesus said...
"6
“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold,
the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed
their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the
wise, ‘Give us
some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9
But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest
there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather
to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came, and those who were ready went in with him to the
wedding; and the door was shut."
Look
at these two references to the oil of gladness...
Psalm
45:7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God,
Your God, has anointed You With the
oil
of gladness more than Your
companions.
Hebrews
1:9
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the
oil
of gladness more than Your
companions.”
David
loved the oil of gladness. Psalm 23 seems poetic,
but I think it is prophetic!
5
You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with
oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Right
now the table is being prepared for us. The devil
before his expulsion sees the preparation. Soon we
will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
YBIC
Bruce
Baber