Table of Shewbread
Exodus 25:23-30
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TableShewbread.html
Now we enter into the Tabernacle Proper...the actual tent structure. We go into the Holy Place and see the Golden Candlestick, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Shewbread.
There’s a distinct difference in appearance on the inside than the outside in the court area. All was brass outside, reminding us of God’s wrath and judgment upon sin. But as we walk inside we realize that everything is pure gold, reminding us of the divine glory of God we are approaching unto. Oh, the splendor of our God. There is none like Him!
The table is on our right [north]. It is made of acacia wood, overlaid w/ gold. It is not large. 3’ X 1.5’ X 2’3” high. Not imposing, but most magnificent. On the 4 corners of the table are rings of gold where the staves run through making it transportable.
On the Sabbath day the priests would enter and place bread made specifically for the table. 12 fresh loaves – symbolic of the tribes of Israel. They would pour the sweet fragrance of frankincense upon that bread. They would eat that bread. Then they would eat the bread that had been so placed there on the previous Sabbath day.
Here we learn about the fellowship and satisfaction found in knowing Jesus. It’s the place of sustenance, provision, and supply. It’s about salvation, security, and satisfaction. We see His perfect life in it, as well as His painful death, His precious resurrection, and His provision for all who will believe.
1. The table pictures the Savior...
The construction:
Once again, made of acacia, the incorruptible wood, harder than oak, taken from the earth, but not susceptible to the earth. Just like Jesus in His holy humanity. He had an earthly body but it never saw corruption, for He never knew sin. The gold speaks of His deity with Him all the while.
The crowns:
v. 25-26 We serve a crowned Savior. His first crown was of thorns. They mocked Him that day, w/ a robe and scepter as well, bowing to Him in a mockery...followed by spitting and smiting. They will bow their knees again some day, only this time He won’t be wearing a crown of thorns, but a royal diadem, crowned KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name...and crown Him Lord of all!”
2. The table pictures Salvation...
When God invited you to be saved He was inviting you to feast at HIS table. A parable in Mt. 22 was about the marriage of the King’s son, and all were invited to come, but the who’s who wouldn’t come...they made excuse and were too busy. The servants went out and compelled all to come in the highways and hedges. His table is big enough and plentiful for all.
In 2 Samuel 9 King David remembered a promise he made to be good to the house of Saul for his friend Jonathan’s sake. He went to the servants and asked if there was anyone there, alive of the house of Saul. There was one little boy, crippled, of the house of Saul, in the land of Lodebar, named Mephibosheth.
David sent for him. Imagine the fear that boy must’ve had being sent for by an ‘enemy’ of his family. But David said to him, thou shalt eat bread always at my table continually.
And I am a child of the King as well, though once an enemy of God, I have my place set for me!
If you’ve been away from God, come back to him, just like the prodigal son, and the Father will say, kill the fatted calf, we’re going to dine and celebrate!
Luke 22, Jesus said there’s a table in glory where we will eat and drink at the marriage supper of the Lamb. But to get a place at that table you first must come to the table of salvation and take of the bread of life.
3. The table pictures Security...
V. 25 tells a border the size of a hand breadth. It kept everything on the table. It secured what was resting upon it. What was resting upon it again? Oh yeah, the 12 loaves representing all people of God, no matter which tribe they are from, no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done!
God knows His sheep. Perhaps it’s the only thing better than knowing God is knowing that God knows me! I’ve visited many w/ Alzheimer’s or other conditions who forgot who I was. My own grandmother was that way. But I knew who she was.
Ill.—I had a man in my church in FL whom I would visit alongside his dear wife’s bedside in a nursing home. She no longer knew him, matter of fact she cussed him regularly. But he knew her and loved her to the end unconditionally.
Aren’t you glad that salvation isn’t dependant upon our memory but God’s memory?! You’re in good hands with Jesus!
4. The table pictures Satisfaction...
It’s enjoyment as a family gathers around the table. Aaron and his sons did just that as they ministered in the Holy Place. Breaking bread together is wonderful fellowship.
As they looked at the 12 loaves they were all level, all the same size, even though some tribes were large and some small. Some more wealthy and some very poor.
Fellowship with God is a level playing field, all for 1 and 1 for all. All in 1!
The bread...
Leviticus 24:5
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Fine means it was smooth, even, and pure...no rough spots. This pictures the perfect life of Jesus.
We on the other hand have some rough spots, and God is trying to smooth them out. I’ve got some lumps in my character.
“He’s still workin’ on me...don’t judge me yet there’s an unfinished part!”
We see His painful death in this as well because you make flour by threshing wheat, grinding it, kneading it, and baking it by fire.
Jesus endured the threshing of false accusations all His life, then a Roman scourging and crucifixion. Then He was placed in the fiery oven of God’s wrath. Our Savior was ground in the mill of suffering...for us!
We see His precious resurrection because the priest would pour the sweet frankincense upon the bread, which was already risen!
In like manner the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, but when they got there they noticed there was already a sweet fragrance in the air, and He was already risen!
Now, listen to...
Leviticus 24:8
Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually...
Continually that sacrifice is acceptable to the Father. Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice by living that perfect life, by suffering that painful death, by rising that precious resurrection.
We also see the provision of the bread for believers. All you must do is take and eat. Partake of Him daily. Feed on Him regularly. Nourish your soul.
You are what you eat. So what are you? A 100 pound Big Mac? A nutty bar? All 3 musketeers! I’m on the Michael Phelps 12,000 calorie diet...without the exercise!
If we feed on Christ we’ll become more like Christ. Jesus said it: Don’t live on bread alone, but on every word that I say. [paraphrase]
This is why I’ve given my life to giving out the bread of the Word. I want you to be a well fed believer. I like to serve the Wed. Nite meal, but even more I like to feed you right now. This is the reason I harp on faithful church attendance over and again. It’s not just to try to have a big crowd, it’s to have big believers! Spiritual obesity ain’t bad at all!
And it’s why I challenge you often to catch up on the parts of our series that you miss online. I’m not fattening you up to cook, just trying to help you be healthy spiritually! So read the Word at home on your own as well, and study to show yourself approved unto God!
The lost world out there is hungry for something they are missing, and Jesus, the Bread of Life, will meet their needs!
http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TableShewbread.html
