Thurs.’s Devo - The Shewbread Table

Read Ex. 25:23-30 Next, God gave instructions about building the shewbread table. It was to be a 2 cubit x 1 cubit table one and a half cubits high (3 ‘ long 1.5’ wide 2.25’ tall) with a crown around it and over-layed in gold. It was also to have gold rings on the corners for the gold poles to be placed to carry it. (I wonder if all the pieces of gold in the tabernacle were things we will see when we get to heaven since they were types and the things made of bronze are only for this world.) This table was to always be set with eating utensils: dishes, spoons, bowls and covers. Shewbread was to be placed in the dishes everyday. This is the table that Jesus tells us to “come and dine” (John 21:12). We all have shewbread spread before us if we have a Bible. We are invited to come and dine with Jesus at his table every time we open up the Word of God and start reading. But we need the next piece of furniture to make this table of stone become bread that we can eat. The next piece is the candlestick. It is the illumination of the Holy Spirit so we can receive revelation of the Word we read. The Ark we read about yesterday was in the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest could enter once a year to offer sacrifices for himself and the nation. The shewbread table, the candlestick and the altar of incense were all placed in the room outside the Holy of Holies called the Holy Place. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matt. 4, his first temptation was to turn the stones to bread. The devil tempted Jesus in all the things God had promised to Jesus. Jesus was going to turn the stones to bread. His ministry was to take the words of God written on stone tablets and make them palpable and easy to swallow turning the stones to bread. He was the bread: the Word of God come to life. (John 1:1) He was the stone law turned to gracious bread. The temptation was to walk in this before God’s timing and thus bypassing the cross. God’s way was the way of suffering, as the lamb, slain from the foundation of the earth. Lord, thank you for your wisdom and your plan. It is perfect, converting the soul.