The Table

And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it. (Ver. 4) Where believers are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus, for an habitation of God through the Spirit, there, in God’s presence, the sweet and sacred memorials of a Savior’s sufferings and death are to be observed.
It is remarkable that, after the ark, the table is first mentioned; and at Troas, on the first day of the week, the disciples came together to break bread. (Acts 20:7.) This was their first object; and although the inspired ministry of the Apostle Paul threw its light on the sacred subjects of the person, suffering, and glories of the Son of God, like the candlestick in the tabernacle over against the table, yet their object in coming together was to remember Jesus, and to enjoy the manifestation of his presence in the breaking of bread, to which all else was made subservient.
But if the communion of saints in the presence of God, and in the remembrance, of the sacrifice of Christ, is to be observed, it must be observed in God’s order. “And set in order the things which are to be set in order upon it.” “God is not the author of confusion.” He has his order, and this order must be maintained. The table is to be a pure table, and all things which are done in connection with the table, must be done decently and in order—as in the presence and fear of God.