Episode 11 – Table of Shewbread

 Hello and Welcome back to Igniting the Gospel. In the last few episodes we’ve been studying the sanctuary (or Tabernacle as it was called in the desert) on earth during ancient Israel’s time. We started in the camp and came down the road toward the Sanctuary to the door. We then entered the courtyard and learned about the alter of burnt offerings with the many different types of offerings made by the priests each day. Then we discussed the Laver and its importance in the cleansing rituals for priests as well as the symbolism of the water and washing. 

Last episode we moved our study into the first apartment of the sanctuary – called the Holy Place where we learned about the first piece of furniture: the golden candlestick. We learned it was made of hammered gold with 7 branches and was one piece of gold. We learned only the High Priest could light the candles and they were the only light in the Holy Place and how this signifies the Holy Spirit going out into the world to share the gospel.

Today we move onto the second piece of furniture in the Holy Place: the table of shewbread. So let’s get started!

 Let’s begin by reading about the table of shewbread in the Bible.

Exodus 25:23-30

Again God is very specific about what the table is made of and the bread it is holding even what side of the Holy Place it was placed in (North).

A couple of questions before we start:

Why is it called the Table of Shewbread? Any significance to its location (north)?

We know there were 12 loaves – one for each of the 12 tribes – stacked in two columns, six bread high based on Leviticus 24:5-9.

Any significance to the way it was laid out? Why was frankincense used with it?

Unleavened bread – leavening in the Bible is Sin – had to be without sin because it was a picture of Jesus

We also know that the shewbread put out on the sabbath and eaten the next sabbath by the priests. It was considered a continual offering – being baked and placed on the table each Sabbath and eaten by the priests each Sabbath. The idea that man is dependent upon God for everything – including the food they eat – both physically and spiritually.

Is there a significance to it being put out on the Sabbath and eaten on the Sabbath?

The fulfillment of this piece of furniture came through Jesus as he said he is the bread of life.

John 6:26-35

John 6:48-51

1 Corinthians 10:17

Since it was in the presence of the Lord it was also called holy bread – which we see with David in 1 Samuel 21:3-6 – where David and those with him eat the shewbread. In the New Testament this is called unlawful (Matthew 12:3-4) and Jesus discussed in relation to the Sabbath.

Was there any other reason it was considered holy and only eaten by priests or clean men?

The bread on the table was in the presence of God throughout the week. On Sabbath it was taken out and eaten. The Word is like the bread and we see that when Jesus said the words and information he imparted was from God.

Matthew 4:3-4

John 14:24

The Bible came from God. God gave it to Jesus and Jesus signified it by His angel to the prophets and they gave it to man. 

So like warm bread, hot from the oven, the bible gives it’s life-giving power to ou

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Igniting the Gospel is hosted by Pastor Damon Snead and Danielle Clark and produced by Rex Morris as a ministry of the Conroe Seventh Day Adventist Church in Conroe, TX.

Check out our full Show Notes at:
Igniting The Gospel Podcast
www.conroesda.net/igniting-the-gospel-podcast

Have questions or comments? Contact us at biblequestions@conroesda.net