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3. Ere the lamp. The seven-branched golden candlestick, placed on the south side of the holy place, was never to go out (see on Ex. 27:20, 21). The cups were filled with the best olive oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and the high priest adjusted the lamps morning and evening at the time of placing incense on the altar before the veil that separated the holy from the most holy place (see on Ex. 30:7, 8). As the glow of these lamps illuminated the darkness of the night, so Christ is the light that illumines this dark world, ever shedding forth the glory of His love and sacrifice into the darkness of men’s hearts (see John 1:4, 5, 9).

As the candlestick illuminated the sanctuary of old, so the Holy Spirit provides spiritual illumination, by which men may have a clearer perception of the plan of salvation. But without the inner light to illumine the soul, the literal light could have but little value. The letter of the sanctuary ritual meant nothing if the spirit was not there (see Isa. 1:11, 13, 15, 16). Although both leaders and people were following the ways of the idolatrous nations about them, there were, here and there, humble souls such as Elkanah and his household who preserved the spiritual vision so greatly needed.