Exodus 25:23-30 ESV [23] “You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. [24] You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. [25] And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. [26] And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. [27] Close to the frame, the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. [28] You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. [29] And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. [30] And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly
What do you think of when you consider a table with plates and dishes, good-smelling candles, and bread on top? A table is a place to eat and to fellowship with others—a place to gather around to commune and to break bread together. Tables hold great significance in life. The table is the place where family comes together to eat and to share in each others’ lives. Studies have demonstrated that children from families who eat together 4 or more times a week do better academically and emotionally. This is because we are united around the table, we communicate and bond with each other. It is a place of security and stability for children and adults alike.
The Table of Shewbread
As with all of the other furniture in the Tabernacle, it first and foremost points to Jesus Christ. The Table was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. Once again this reflects the dual nature of Christ, the God-Man: the incorruptible acacia wood, His sinless humanity; and the pure gold, His deity. The table was the same height as the Brazen Altar’s grate in the Outer Court and the Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place – 1 ½ cubits. We begin at the Judgment seat (the Brazen Altar: cross) so that we may come to the Table for fellowship with God based on the shed blood of the Mercy Seat.
The primary purpose of the table was to hold the showbread, “the bread of the presence” (literally, “the bread of the face”), which was set before the presence/face of Yahweh (Ex. 25:30). Each Sabbath, the priests would replace the loaves from the previous week with a fresh batch of bread (Lev. 24:5–9).
Jesus, the bread of life, is ever before the face of God. Jesus is the human manifestation of the presence of God. The priests brought 12 loaves of bread each Sabbath to the table (The 12 loaves represent the 12 tribes). They met God to dine and fellowship with him.
The table and the Shewbread, therefore, signified the Lord as the food of His people. The manna speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as the food of Israel in the wilderness. The Shewbread speaks of Him as the food of His people enjoyed in the Sanctuary. We come to Jesus to enjoy life-giving nourishment.
John 6:35 ESV [35] Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst
Jesus is the manna from heaven and Jesus is the showbread. He is the bread of life! But unlike the priests, we can come to him every moment. He invites us to come. He even comes to us.
Revelation 3:20 ESV [20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Jesus is knocking at the church’s door, he is knocking at your heart’s door.
Will you open your heart and dine with him today?