THE SHEWBREAD TABLE

THE SHEWBREAD TABLE

Leaving the court and its brazen altar and shining laver behind, we now, by the beautifully colored embroidered door, enter the first apartment of the sanctuary, called the holy place, to inspect its golden vessels. This, as we have already seen, was a very splendid chamber, twenty cubits long by ten broad. The ceiling above, the walls on both sides, and the veil before us, are all aglow with blue, purple, scarlet, and lovely bright cherubim.

From Model. Table of Shewbread. Scale—1 inch to a cubit. The table of shewbread, standing on the right hand or north side (Exodus 40:22), made of acacia wood and overlayed with gold (Exodus 40:23), measured 2 cubits long, 1 broad, and 11/2 high (Exodus 25:23). The top of the leaf was encircled by an upright ornamental rim or crown of gold (Exodus 25:24), probably serving to prevent articles from falling off the table. The legs were united and the framework compacted by a handbreadth border (3 inches) with a golden crown round about (Exodus 25:25). The four rings through which the gold- covered staves passed for carrying the table were placed at the four corners over against the border (Exodus 25:27-28).

Utensils in connection with the table.—There were several utensils in connection with the table (Exodus 25:29), all made of gold, but the purposes they served are not mentioned. The dishes are supposed to have been plates for the shewbread being placed on; the bowls, for holding the wine, poured out as libations in the holy place; the spoons or cups, for holding the frankincense, set on each pile of bread. The bread was made of fine unleavened flour (Leviticus 24:5-9). Twelve cakes in two piles of six each, always stood on the table, called on that account the perpetual or continual bread (Numbers 4:7). It was also named the bread arranged in order, the reason for which is obvious (Exodus 40:23). The more significant name we shall notice presently. On the top of each pile was placed Frankincense, probably in the cups we have spoken of. It is thought by some that the frankincense was burned once a week when the bread was being renewed; and by others that it was ever burning, which does not appear very likely, as the quantity consumed would be very great. There may, however, have been some means whereby it could be slowly consumed, and kept always burning: in that case the holy place would be ever fragrant.

Presence bread.—The bread was called the “shewbread” (Heb. “bread of faces” or presence bread), because it was in God’s dwelling-place, and before the symbol of His presence, the veil only intervening. The renewal of the bread, —The bread was renewed every Sabbath by fresh loaves. The loaves removed belonged to the priests, and could be eaten by them only, and in the holy place and nowhere else. All thank-offerings were holy, and this one peculiarly so: “It is most holy unto Him of the offerings made by fire” (Leviticus 26:9).

OFFERINGS PRESENTED IN THE HOLY PLACE

Only the shewbread, the incense offerings, and the wine for a libation or drink-offering were presented in the holy place. Although it is not expressly said that wine stood on the table, it is evident the bowls (Exodus 25:29) were intended for holding and pouring out wine. To “cover withal” (v. 29) means in the original “to pour out withal;” and is so rendered in the Revised Version. All the other offerings were brought to the brazen altar in the court. The ceremonies connected with all the sacrifices were soon over, except in the case of the shewbread: “He” (that is, Aaron and his successors) “shall set it in order before the Lord continually” (Leviticus 24:8). It is said to be made by fire, as the frankincense burning on the bread (Leviticus 24:7) constituted one and the same offering.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SHEWBREAD As far as the shewbread is considered merely in the light of a peace or thank-offering, there is no difficulty concerning it. Probably as the tabernacle was the residence of Israel’s Divine King, the idea of a palace was thereby, along with the other arrangements, carried out. Thus, the ark or throne, the golden candlestick, the incense-altar, the shewbread table, with its bread and wine, may have been regarded as the requisite furniture and provisions, and the priests as the servants who waited upon the King, and mediated between Him and the people. The Israelites, represented by the twelve loaves, acknowledged their dependence on God as the giver of the staff of life, and evinced their gratitude in giving Him part of what they owed solely to His bounty. The shewbread, ever lying on the table, was thus a constant memorial of God’s goodness in providing for the nourishment of His people. OUR INDEBTEDNESS TO GOD

We are as much indebted to the Great Giver for the staff of life, and for all other temporal blessings, as the Israelites were; and it is our duty, as much as it was theirs, to testify our gratitude by offering Him part of what He has given us; not that He stands personally in need of our gifts any more than He stood in need of the shewbread, but that His poor saints, and His cause or church in the world, may be benefited thereby; and that our own gratitude and sense of dependence on Him for all temporal, as well as spiritual, blessings, may be kept ever alive within us. “To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

CHRIST THE BREAD OF LIFE

Some are of opinion that the shewbread was a figure of Christ. Whether this be so or not, it is true that bread is a striking emblem of Him, and He Himself says, “I am the bread of life.” May we feed by faith on Him, and our souls will be nourished unto eternal life. May our prayer be, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”

BLESSINGS PARTAKEN OF IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Some regard the bread and wine as representing the spiritual nourishment which may be had in the New Testament church. It is true, only the priests were permitted to eat the shewbread; but genuine believers are a royal priesthood, and they are all invited to sit at the New Testament table, and partake of its manifold blessings. “Eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” THE GOOD THINGS IN THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE May not the golden table point to the abundant supply of good things prepared in the heavenly temple for all those whom Christ will make kings and priests unto God for ever? There, a table is spread before His face, that is continually furnished with new wine and heavenly manna, with which the ransomed of the Lord will be refreshed and made glad. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”