Christ in all the scriptures The Table of Shewbread

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Table of Shewbread

"Thou shalt also make a table of shittim (acacia) wood; two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof...and thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always"-readings, Exodus 25v23-30; Leviticus 24v5-9.

This is the first reference to the table in scripture, and so determines its meaning all the way through.  Note should be made of the word "also", which links the table closely with the ark and mercy seat.  In chapter 30 the laver is similarly closely linked in this way to the golden altar of incense-30v18.  We can discuss the meaning of that in time; for now we note the close link between the table and the ark.   There is another strong link, if we consider the "flow" of scripture.  Concerning the mercy seat, God said "There will I commune with thee...of all things that I shall give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel".   Immediately, He says, "Thou shalt also make a table..." giving us a clue to the connection.  The table represents communion between God and man, a fact which is stated all over scripture.  In the ark we have pardon for sins; in the table we have provision for service.  In the ark there is forgiveness; in the table there is fellowship.  The table is at the same level as both the brazen altar grating, and the mercy seat of gold.  Our fellowship with God is commensurate with the sacrifice of Christ and also God's declaration of it!  God is indicating that He wants to have fellowship with those who are declared righteous in Christ.  Paul takes up the theme which straddles his letters to the Corinthian church:

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord"-1st Corinthians 1v9; "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?"-1st Corinthians 10v16; "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.  Amen"-2nd Corinthians 13v14.

Communion with the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Christ!

We also note that the thought of communion is portrayed in the table by the following:

The number 2 is prevalent on the table, the number of witness/fellowship.  2 cubits long-25v23; 2 crowns, one on the outer rim, a second surrounding the loaves-25v24-25; 2 rows of bread-Leviticus 24v6; 2 tenth deals (omers) for the breadcakes-Leviticus 24v5.

The hand breadth between the golden borders-Exodus 25v25, scripture speaks of "the right hands of fellowship"-Galatians 2v9.

We note the Divine nature of this fellowship: The number 1, for the unity of the Godhead, is portrayed in the breadth of 1 cubit.  The dishes, and spoons, and bowls, and covers, are all of pure gold, suggesting Deity.  The concept that God can commune with men is as awesome as it is wonderful, but this is what the table means!  The shewbread is called the "bread of faces", Whatever our imperfections, the perfection of Christ is continually before Him.  

The fellowship is with Christ glorified, as in the crown of gold, and the twelve cakes of bread, represent all the twelve tribes, that is all the people of God in modern terms.  The breadcakes speak of Christ in His perfection-fine flour of two tenth deals with bowls of frankincense, Leviticus 24v5-7, a life of perfect texture, with incense continually emitting its fragrance to God.  In Him, also the people of God are exalted as in the border crown of gold around the bread.  There is plenty of evidence for this exaltation in scripture, as we are designated "a kingdom of priests"-Revelation 1v6; and we shall reign with Him-Revelation 20v4. 

The table and the shewbread was continually before the Lord, and the priests, operating in the Holy Place, changed the bread every seven days.  The priests shared the bread amongst themselves each week.  We note that all believers today serve God as priests, and so this holy service applies to all of us.  For those who wish to limit the participation in public communion to those of their own particular sect, a note of caution is advised.  Even the priests who were disqualified from operating in holy service, partook of the bread by eating "the bread of his God"-Leviticus 21v21-22; those with blemishes were not allowed to offer bread, but they were allowed to partake of it.  The only reason anyone should be debarred from the fellowship is because of serious blemish, whether moral or doctrinal.  Sectarian differences are not necessarily grounds for excluding God's people from the communion.  By the same token, all who come nigh to God in worship, should be clean in their lives, a matter that will arise again and again in the narrative-Leviticus 10v3.  The principle of fellowship is established by Paul in 1st Corinthians 10v17, to a congregation that was far from perfect, "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread".   All who are in Christ (that is apart from the one excommunicated on moral grounds) are partakers, as they draw nigh to worship Him.  Exclusion of some on minor differences of practice is not in the mind of the Lord, and we become guilty of ungodly discrimination.  Any such differences can be addressed separately, they are not grounds for excommunication, a practice that is arrogant in the extreme, and unlawfully divides the body of Christ.  This practise is no better than the Corinthian error of 1st Corinthians 11, where some were dividing along social lines, the rich separating from the poor, and "not discerning the Lord's body".  Today the separation is along sectarian lines.  The sanctity of the Lord's worship must be preserved, but not on the basis of human rules.  It is the LORDS TABLE, not the table of men whoever they may be.  Present divisions of thinking and practise do NOT reflect the table of the Lord, and sully what should be a most sacred weekly occasion.  

In God's house, and at God's table, He sets the conditions of fellowship, not men.  It is evident that God's desire and disposition is to commune with all His people.  We have no mandate to refuse fellowship except in extreme cases, which are clearly spelt out; neither do we have the ability to discern a person's standing before God.  We leave the last word to the Apostle John, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ"-1st John 1v3.