The Showbread and the Table

Bobby Howell

Exodus: Shadows of Christ • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

Exodus 25:23–30

Exodus 37:10–16

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The Showbread and the Table- Ex. 25:23–30; 37:10–16

We continue our look at shadows of Christ in the Old Testament. It is a good reminder that the Bible is a book about Jesus. From the first book of the Bible, Genesis, to the last book of the Bible, Revelation, Jesus is the focus.

He may not be as visible in Leviticus as He is in the Gospel according to Mark. He may not be as easily observable in the book of Job as He is in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

In fact, so hard is it, at times, to see Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures, that if it were not for Paul’s statement to the Colossians (Colossians 2:17 “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”), I would be far more hesitant to declare that the Bible is all about Jesus. But because of Col. 2:17, and passages like Luke 24:13–27 make clear the Bible, all of it, is about Jesus.

We are seeing God instruct Moses about the construction of the Tabernacle. He is on the top of Mt. Sinai, where in total he will spend 40 days and 40 nights with the Lord in direct communication. The people see the mountain and are terrified (Ex. 24:15–18, cf. Ex. 20:18–21).

The Tabernacle is, as the word implies, a dwelling. It is not a common dwelling, a regular tent, however. It is the Tabernacle of the Lord.

God promised His people, if they obeyed the covenantal obligations and did everything He commanded them to do (Ex. 19:5–6) that He would be their God and they would be His people. He would “dwell” in their midst, Exodus 29:45–46 “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.”

We have already discussed the Ark of the Covenant, the physical representation of the presence of God. This morning we turn our attention to the Showbread and the Table upon which the bread sat.

Seeing and savoring the shadow of Christ in the Bread should produce intimate, fervent, Christ-like living in the Church.

It should be intimate because we truly know the Lord Jesus. It should fervent because we are completely in love with the Lord Jesus. And it should be lived out in the Church, because we are the bride of the Lord Jesus.

I. The Plan of the Bread and the Table- Ex. 25:23–30, 37:10–16; Lev. 24:5–9

We will not spend much time on this because the construction of the Table and the Bread are straight forward. The things in and of themselves are important to the Tabernacle, they point to something greater.

A. Pure Gold

There was to be no impurities in the table itself, or the accoutrements. Similar to the Ark of the Covenant, this Table was to reflect a beauty and purity of God.

B. Unleavened Bread

Although not mentioned in Exodus chapter 25, we have more information from the book of Leviticus about the bread.

It was unleavened, more like or tortillas. Leaven, in Scripture, symbolizes sin (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7).

It was baked and set out every Sabbath (see Lev. passage), renewing the representative covenant between Israel and God.

C. Utensils- wine for drink offering

The dishes that were used in the ceremony were also of pure gold and held the wine for the drink offerings, but interestingly, we have nothing else about these utensils in the holy place.

D. Frankincense- Lev. 24:5–9

They were to anoint the bread with frankincense.

E. 12 Loaves- Lev. 24:5–9

Every Sabbath a new stack of 12 loaves would be set out in the holy place. There is a fascinating parallel of sevens, building off the creational format in six days of work and a sabbath.

The 7th day is the Sabbath

The 7th month is the month in which the Day of Atonement occurs

The 7th year is the Year of Jubilees

Even the Menorah, of which we shall speak of next week (Lord willing), had 7 candles.

The table holds the bread of the presence, but what was its purpose?

II. The Purpose of the Bread and the Table- Ex. 29:43–45 Heb. 9:6, 9

Bread normally denotes eating, sharing a meal, or fellowshipping with others. We “break bread,” is the phrase.

The same is true of the bread of the Presence, but on a divine level. God would dwell with His people, as He did in the Garden of Eden, and as He will again in Revelation 21:10–11).

But in this invitation to the people of Israel to fellowship with God is hindered, as was Adam’s, by sin. The bread of the presence served as a reminder of sin.

A. Reminder of Sin- Heb. 9:9 (cf. Gal. 3:24)

Not all Israel could enter into the holy place. In fact, almost all of Israel could not enter into the holy place. Only Levites of the lineage of Aaron could, and only after ritual cleansings.

These ritual cleanings, sacrifices, reminded Israel of their sin. As the author of Hebrews tells us, the “gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper...” Every day, every week, and every year, reminded Israel of their sin.

B. Nourishment from God- Ex. 16, John 6:22–59, esp. 48–51

The purpose, beside fellowship with God (of which we shall speak in a moment), reminded Israel that they depended upon God for their nourishment.

Ancient near-eastern cultures had similar temples/tabernacles and methods of worship, but the difference between them is that their false gods and goddesses need food from humans, whereas the One true and living God needed nothing from us (Acts 17:24–25 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” )

C. Fellowship with God- Ex. 29:43–46

Astoundingly, the purpose of the Bread was an invitation to the people of Israel to fellowship with God.

“The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of Himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.” 2LCF 2:1

This is the God the opens the door for fellowship with Himself. What a glorious privilege!

But this fellowship is, as we have been reminded, hindered by sin. Thus, our greatest need, fellowship with God, is hindered by our greatest problem, sin. We have a glorious resolution in the Person of the Bread, however.

III. The Person of the Bread and the Table- John 6:22–59; Heb. 10:19–25

All this points to the Person to which the Bread points.

“What bread is to the body, Christ is to the soul” —William McEwen, The Glory and Fullness of Jesus Christ

A. Removal of Sin- Heb. 9:11–18

Whereas the daily, weekly, and yearly sacrifices reminded Israel of their sins, the sacrifice of Christ brought the removal of sins.

Where Israel had a temporary cleansing, we have an eternal redemption.

B. Nourishment from God- Heb. 4:14–16; 10:19–21

Where Israel had temporary, and shielded fellowship with God, we enjoy uninterrupted, unhindered, and unimaginable nourishment from God through Jesus Christ, we find grace and mercy without end because they come from the infinite God!

Where only some Israelites could timidly enter into the Presence of God, we can gain nourishment through bold entrance into the Presence of God.

Seeing and savoring the shadow of Christ in the Bread should produce intimate, fervent, Christ-like living...

*Nourishment to live eternally through Christ

*Nourishment to live for Christ

C. Fellowship with God- Heb. 4:12–16; 10:19–22

12 loaves symbolized the 12 tribes of Israel. It reminded the priests, and served as a visual reminder of the covenant relationship with God.

The purpose of the Bread was to invite fellowship. Because of the Person to which the bread pointed, we have fellowship with God.

Seeing and savoring the shadow of Christ in the Bread should produce intimate, fervent, Christ-like living…in the Church!

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