The Seven Furnishing Items Of The TabernacleExemplo

THE TABLE WITH THE TWELVE SHOWBREADS

The third item in service of the tabernacle is the table with the twelve shewbreads in the Holy Place.

In the Holy Place of the tabernacle, we find three distinct articles: the table with the showbread on it, the golden candlestick, and the golden altar of incense. While the tabernacle as such typifies Christ, the Holy Place is seen as a type of the Church on earth. The Holy Place of the tabernacle with its accessories therefore speaks of the Church on earth in Christ.

The directive regarding the table in the Holy Place is found in Exodus 25:23-30; 40:4, 5 and the directive regarding the twelve loaves in Leviticus 24:5-9.

It is worth noting that here in Exodus 25 a table is mentioned for the first time in the Bible. And it's a table with bread on it. This therefore points to a meal, a celebration and satisfaction - so full fellowship.

The table of showbread stood on the right side in the Holy Place (Exod. 40:22); it was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The table had a moulding of gold all around. It was probably to prevent items from falling from the table. Different utensils or tools were made to be used in the ministry of the table; dishes, pans, pitchers and bowls. (Exod. 25:29; Num. 4:7). Everything was made of gold. There were rings and staves so that the table could be carried from place to place during Israel's pilgrimage through the desert. The table of showbread stood straight across the candlestick in the Holy place.

Showbread literally means bread of the Presence (Lev. 24:5, 6, 8). The bread is a reminder that God fed Israel. The showbread was before the Lord in the Holy Place from Sabbath to Sabbath. During the following Sabbath the bread was replaced with new ones. The bread that was before the Lord the previous week was then eaten by the priests in the Holy Place. Every sabbath, twelve new loaves of bread were placed on the table; one for each tribe. Every sabbath day, the priests had to gather in the Holy Place to eat the bread and replace it with new ones. The twelve loaves were two stacks of six loaves each on top of one another (Lev. 24:6). Frankincense was added on each row (Lev. 24:7). This bread is also called the continual bread (Num. 4:7). This bread was made from fine flour (no yeast - leaven) (Lev. 24:5). This bread made ​​of fine flour speaks of perfection and uniformity – that which is ground, sifted and tested. The white fine flour without leaven speaks of holiness, purity, truth and righteousness (1 Cor. 5:6-8). Pilate says of Christ: I find no fault in this Man. (Luke 23:4). The bread was carefully arranged in order on the table (Exod. 40:23). The priests had to eat the bread every sabbath inside the Holy Place, and no other place. Although it is not said, it is clear that the pitchers and its bowls (Exod. 25:29; Num. 4:7) were used to hold wine and to pour wine: pitchers, and its bowls for pouring (Exod. 25:29). 

The very first task of the priests in the Holy Place was to fellowship with the Lord.

For Israel the significance of the table with the twelve showbreads is important. Through this every tribe admits their dependence on God as the Giver of life and the continual bread is a constant reminder of God's goodness in providing for the needs of His people. Everyone around one table together! The table breaks down all barriers and makes all one. Incense is added as a sacrifice of fire and a memorial offer. It speaks of prayer.

Jesus Christ declares to the people of Israel: I am the bread of life . . . I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever (John 6:48, 51).

Those who believe in Christ are also a holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5). As a spiritual priesthood we can only have fellowship with God in and through Christ. Without Christ man cannot have fellowship with God the Father. In Christ, believers also have fellowship with one another. Every sabbath the priests had to gather in the Holy Place to eat the bread. At this meal, they were in happy communion together. So should the Church in Christ also come happily together on the first day of the week to break bread - literally and figuratively (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25). We also see in the bread the word of God, the living word of God which abides forever, the good seed, the incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23, 25). Furthermore, we also see in the use of the communion that we share in Christ if we do what He commanded: Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me (Matt. 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:24).

Only believers, truly born again children of God, can take part at the table of the Lord. Paul explained it like this: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17).

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ said to His disciples: And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,  that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom . . . (Luke 22:29, 30).