The Word is a Lamp
Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God: the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread; the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 4:19-20
King Solomon built the temple of the Lord down to the letter. Part of that included the “prescribed manner” mentioned in 2 Chronicles, which lays out the many details God provided for its construction. Before the building of the great temple, Israel worshiped elsewhere, and earlier on, in the Tabernacle. Even then, the Lord had certain guidelines that were to be met. It would be the dwelling place of the Most High, after all.
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.” (Exodus 27:20) Pure olive oil would ensure that the smoke output from the lamps would be next to nothing. It would be as pure a fire as naturally possible. The lamps in the tabernacle and the temple were golden and stood in the holy place.
This constant light would be a reminder of God’s presence there. On the other side, at the Holy of Holies where none were allowed except the high priest once a year, God dwelt among His people.
When Jesus, our Immanuel, was born of Mary, God dwelt with His people. When Jesus had made the satisfactory payment for our sins, the light of the temple could reach beyond the veil which was torn in two (Mark 15:38). There is now One Mediator between God and men, “the Man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
The constant light shows not just the eternal light of God, but the eternal light which clearly shows the Christ. He was the God of the Tabernacle and the Temple. He remains the constant Light of the Holy Christian Church wherever she congregates in His name.
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Thou the true and only Light;
Sun of Righteousness, arise, Triumph o’er the shades of night,
Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.
The Lutheran Hymnal 359:1