Made in Israel.
This is a replica of an ancient terra cotta olive oil lamp. This kind of lamp was commonly used in Jesus’ time and would have been in the minds of listeners as Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”
Plus, this is a working lamp. Includes 5 extra long cotton wicks. Each burns for 1-2 hours. Extras can be purchased in a kit of 50. Simply add olive oil or regular cooking vegetable oil according to the instructions and watch it burn like a candle.
This is a fun object to have around your house and a great illustration to demonstrate verses such as:
- Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
- The Parable of the Ten Virgins – “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like tenvirgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom…Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them…”
- Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
- Psalm 18:28 – “For you will light my lamp, LORD. My God will light up my darkness.”
- John 8:12 – “Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
- Isaiah 42:3 – “He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.”
This final verse is a powerful prophecy of the Messiah that is quoted in Matthew 12:20. Children would take reeds, put holes in them, and make musical flutes. But if a reed was “bruised” or cracked, it wouldn’t play. They would discard it and simply make another. Likewise, it was an embarrassing matter when the woman of the house didn’t check the flax wick on the lamp. Once it ran out of oil, the flax would burn up and emit a foul odor. It was no good and useless and just needed to be thrown out. Yet, Jesus doesn’t discard hurt and broken people. Not even those whom others would so casually discard or discount as useless. Not even those who have been an embarrassment or are broken and bruised. Jesus, our Messiah, brought a new kind of love and justice and an intimacy with God that was unfathomable to the Old Testament prophets.
Imagine teaching a Sunday School class with one of these oil lamps. Just light the lamp, turn off the lights, and read the Bible by the light of the oil lamp, just like what would have burned in Jesus’ home when He was growing up.
