Are Candles Pagan?

A claim some have made is that candles are pagan so therefore no Christian should use them. Today we will be refuting such an idea. In the book of Exodus, we see candles are actually used during worship. In Exodus 25, God is speaking to Moses(Exodus 25:1) and is providing instructions on how the tabernacle(Exodus 25:9-29) and a candle stick(Exodus 25:31-38). To directly quote, "31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick 34 And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. (Exodus 25:31-37 KJV).

If God did not desire for us to use them, why would he request Moses to tell the people of Israel to implement them? Unless one would like to claim the book of Exodus is a forgery or that God intentionally deceived Isreal(two very bold claims) it seems candles are permissible to be used.

In the next chapter, we read, "And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side," (Exodus 26:35 KJV).

In Exodus 30, "And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense," (Exodus 30:26-27 KJV).

In Exodus 35, "14 The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light, 15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle," (Exodus 35:14-15 KJV).

In Exodus 37, "And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: 18 And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: 19 Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. 20 And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers," (Exodus 37:17-20 KJV).

There are also spots in Exodus 39, 40, Leviticus 24, Numbers 4, Numbers 8, 2 Kings 4 and Daniel 5.

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