In Part 1 we covered what the Lampstand/Candlestick was made of, its form, and the meaning behind these elements. In Part 2 we will look at the ornamentation God told Moses to give to the artisans. We may have read over these verses before in our studies or have yet to read them. Without Biblical understanding, they appear of little consequence. But nothing God does is immaterial or generic. So, let's get started.
After giving the basic design, God gave the descriptions of specific details. We find them in Exodus 25:33-36 NKJV
Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand.
34 On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower.
35 And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand.
36 Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure gold.
That quotation is from the NKJV. The KJV uses different spelling and phrases.
You may wonder what a Knob or Knop is. By analogy, it is the calyx of a flower – a protective covering over the blossom as it formed. It is almond-shaped.
The central 'branch' represents the centrality of Christ. Out of Him flows the other six branches. On each side, three branches are coming out of the central branch. Each of these branches has three almond buds, three almond blossoms, and three almonds. The central Branch has four of each of these three elements.
Numbers are significant to God and the Lampstand provides several. The central Branch has twelve elements. They represent Yeshua as Head over the Government of God. His government included twelve tribes and / or twelve apostles. The number twelve is also found in the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:9-14. And there were twelve stones on the Breastplate of the High Priest. Exodus 28:15-21.
The use of almond blossoms, almonds, and knobs or knops mirrors a story found in Numbers 16-18.
Families of the tribe of Levi rose in rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They didn't like the assignments.
In Numbers 16:9-10, Moses asks the families of Korah: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; 10 and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?
God tested their hearts and found them wicked. They complained about what God ordained and it was not pleasing to God. So, He opened the ground and consumed them, their families, and their belongings.
Wickedness is anything that places itself above God's Word or His Spirit in words or deeds. It is exercising our will above God's will. For example, people pleasing, cheating, lusting, chasing after fame and fortune, etc.
The next day the rest of the people complained about what God did and placed the blame on Moses and Aaron. God sent a plague and removed more of them--14,700.
In the end, God asked the leaders of the twelve tribes to bring their rods to Moses. Rods were distinctive walking sticks given only to the leaders. They wrote their names on the rods and placed them in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark of the Covenant, overnight.
Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, sprouted and put forth buds, produced blossoms, and yielded ripe almonds. Numbers 17:8
Of the fruit trees in Israel, almond trees are the first trees to bloom and bear fruit. They carry the message of life from the dead.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Aaron's rod was dead but, overnight it budded, bloomed, and bore fruit. It was a picture of Yeshua. He was the first fruit of salvation. His resurrection gave each of us the gift of life from the dead.
The three elements in both Aaron's rod and the Lampstand represent the Godhead.
Okay, let's look at one more number, Seven. There were seven lamps. Seven is the number of fulness or perfection. The seven lamps represent the seven Spirits of Messiah. Isaiah 11:1-2.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
And these are also seen in the Church, His Body. Seven lamps but together—One Light. Seven Spirits but one Holy Spirit.
There is also a seven-fold unity seen in the Church. We can find this in Ephesians 4:4-6.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
And there are seven principles of the Doctrine of Christ found in Hebrews 6:1-2.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms (baptism of water and baptism of the Spirit), of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
God loves order and He loves numbers. When we gain an understanding of these numbers we see the meaning of His Word more.
This is all we will cover for now. Next time, we will begin looking at each of the spirits represented in Isaiah 11:1-2. We will see what they are and what they have to do with light.
Shalom 
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