Exodus 25:23–30

The first mention of a word in Scripture is always deeply significant. In Exodus 25:23 we get the first mention of a table in Scripture. It is clearly used to hold food for the priests. Its great idea is food, sustainment, support.

The table was smaller than the ark and served a different purpose, but otherwise the details are very similar. It was to stand outside the veil in the holy place, where the priests saw it daily. Again here we see a type of Christ, but as supporting the showbread, or "bread of the presence," which became food for the priests.

The composition of the table is the same as that of the ark. It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with pure gold. The meaning, therefore, will be the same — the acacia wood presenting what is human, and the gold what is divine. It is then Christ, Christ in His human and divine natures as combined in His one person. This indeed is the beauty of everything connected with the tabernacle. It is Christ everywhere, Christ in Himself or in some of His varied perfections and glories.

Again the acacia wood emphasizes the Manhood of the Lord Jesus, and the complete overlaying of gold emphasizes His deity. Its height was the same as the ark, two and one half cubits. The half cubit points upward, to God: the blessing of fellowship is precious beyond our understanding. The two speaks of the value of this as a testimony before God. But both the length and width have no extra half cubit, for our fellowship is limited in both these directions.

For seven days those twelve loaves of "fine flour with frankincense" were presented before the Lord. Then others replaced them, and they became the food of the priests who fed on them in the holy place (see Leviticus 24:5-9). Those twelve loaves picture "the man Christ Jesus." The "fine flour" marks His perfect manhood, and the "frankincense" points out the entire devotion of that manhood to God. If God has His priests ministering in the holy place, He will certainly have a table for them, and a well-furnished table too. Christ is the table and Christ is the bread on it. The pure table and the twelve loaves foreshadow Christ. He is presented before God without ceasing, in all the excellency of His spotless humanity, and He is given as food to the priestly family.

Then again there were twelve loaves. They show that the Lord took in the whole twelve tribes of Israel, and that food for the soul was available for every individual in the nation. The priests alone ate it, but the truth is that now, in this present age, every believer is a priest.

The rings sat near to the border. May this suggest that the holiness of God's table was not meant to shut His people out from enjoying communion with Him, even in the wilderness? Wherever He led them, His table should go with them. Only defilement shuts a person out from communion, not trial. Our Lord Jesus has already walked every path that the weary feet of the Lord's saints may have to walk. The table speaks of Him. There may be danger, scorn and hatred from the world, persecution, affliction — He has passed through all these, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

The composition of the table is the same as that of the ark. It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with pure gold. The meaning, therefore, will be the same — the acacia wood presenting what is human, and the gold what is divine. It is then Christ, Christ in His human and divine natures as combined in His one person. This is indeed the beauty of everything connected with the tabernacle. It is Christ everywhere, Christ in Himself or in some of His varied perfections and glories.

Acacia wood is a beautiful type of the imperishable, indestructible human nature of the Lord. It was not only that He did not sin, but He could not sin. Someone might say, "If He could not sin, whatever was the point of the temptation? There was no real testing in that" — but there was. The first man was innocent, he was in the most agreeable circumstances, he was tested and he failed. The second man, out of heaven, was not innocent. He had perfect knowledge of good and evil. He was in the wilderness, the place where Israel was tested and failed. But under every temptation He was victorious. Acacia wood does not decay; there was no way into the faultless, pure life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The table speaks of the food of God — Christ's person — and that in which He has communion with His people. Man could never provide God with what His soul delights in. But Christ has set out a table at which God finds everything suited to His holiness, of which He can say, This is My food, "the bread of My offerings." But this blessed One, our Lord Jesus, has borne our judgment. So now there is a place at the table of God for everyone who believes on Him, and a welcome to share with Him His delight in Christ. This is the wonder of grace: "our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

The crown pictured "Jesus, crowned with glory and honor" (Heb. 2:9). It is Christ in the place which He has won by His work upon the earth: "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." He goes on in perfect confidence to address His Father: "And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed" (John 17:4-5). That suggests the reason why the crown was all of gold. It is the divine glory which He always had with the Father, but into which He enters on a new ground: as the Substitute of His blood-bought people, whose redemption He had accomplished according to the Father's will.

A crown of gold surrounded the top of the ark, and the golden altar and the table were also crowned with gold. The altar of sacrifice had no crown, but all the vessels of wood and gold had golden crowns. We are reminded, once again, of the glory that follows the sufferings of Christ, and that He is now "crowned with glory and honor."

The golden crown about the table, and the twelve loaves of showbread upon it, suggest how completely all God's beloved people are presented to Him in Christ. Christ stands before God crowned with glory as their representative, and so they are kept before God, held fast, and can never perish. We might imagine an over-eager Levite warning the priest that the loaves could slip off the table. He proposes some plan to hold them down more securely. The priest might well have replied, "That has already been divinely provided for: do you not see that crown? They cannot slip past that." The same answer fits a trembling believer who fears he may not hold out to the end: "Do you not see that crown — 'Jesus crowned with glory and honor'?"

A crown of pure gold was placed round about the table; a border of a hand's breadth round it, and that with a golden crown encircling it. So we see how carefully and jealously the Holy Spirit would guard the truth of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is for us not to question, but to bow; not to analyse and dissect, but to worship and adore; not to pry into these mysteries with a curious mind, but to feed on the revelation of Christ by faith and in the Spirit's power.

A gold molding was to run right around the table. A frame of a handbreadth (about four inches) was evidently inside the molding (v. 25), and then another molding inside the frame. The frame likely extended over the legs. Two gold rings went close to the frame at each end of the table, that is, underneath the frame, so that poles could carry it.

It has been thought by some that this border was outside the first crown already described, as a ledge upon which the vessels of service could be set; others have thought of it as merely an ornamental border set perpendicularly to, and upon which the top of the table would rest, while it would also act as a brace to the whole frame, and to which the feet would be attached, with the rings and staves.

The purpose of this border was clearly to keep the loaves in their place. And if we take the ornamental crown of gold as a picture of the divine glory of Christ, the lesson is this: Christ holds Israel secure in its place before God by all that He is as divine... But this symbol says more than Israel's place. In principle it takes in every believer too. There in the holy place, always before the eye of God, covered with the pleasant fragrance of the frankincense, he is seen in Christ. It is indeed the perfect presentation of the believer to God.

The word means, first of all, an enclosure; so a fortress or "close place"... An enclosure keeps out intruders, by a wall or some other barrier. So an enclosure around the table would suggest something that kept out whatever did not belong there... this border, or "fortress" (also decorated with a crown), would suggest that everything out of keeping with the glory of Christ was shut out from the table. Such a border would give the table firmness and stability, both while it stood in the sanctuary and while the people carried it through the wilderness.

Around the table is a margin of a handbreadth, which may point to the divine hand that surrounds it. Table and margin together sit inside a golden border — possibly a crown, though the word is not used for a crown anywhere else — which suggests how the divine glory defines and marks out everything.

The crown, as we have said, pictured "Jesus, crowned with glory and honor" (Heb. 2:9). It is Christ in the place He has won by His work on the earth: "I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do."

A crown of gold all around, a border of a handbreadth all around, and a golden crown for the border spoke in two ways. First, God would jealously guard the truth of the Person of His beloved Son. Second, God would keep His people in relation to Christ.

The bread set on the golden table was twelve loaves — clearly matching the twelve tribes of Israel, yet certainly connected with Christ, for He is always the object of God's purposes. It is God displaying Himself in Christ; and those who had this connection with Christ were Israel.

There were also four golden rings "on the four corners that were at its four feet (legs?); the rings were close by the border." Into these, two staves of acacia wood overlaid with gold were passed, for carrying the table through the wilderness.

The table was inside the holy place, on the right side as one entered the tabernacle, but not in the most holy, as the ark was. The twelve loaves that were put on the table (Lev. 24:5-9) speak of communion or fellowship involving the twelve tribes of Israel in their fellowship with the Lord and with one another. Therefore the table is symbolical of the Lord Jesus as the Sustainer of fellowship. That holy place speaks of heaven itself. So Christ, glorified in heaven, sustains His people today in fellowship with the Father and with one another.

Then we have the provision for the journey... The children of Israel were pilgrims in the wilderness. So the tabernacle and all its furniture were made for them as pilgrims, and went with them in all their wanderings. Christ is ever with His people; and the very rings and staves, equally with the table itself, made of gold and acacia wood, point to Him as the God-man.

The rings and staves emphasize, as with the Ark, that we are in the wilderness, and not yet at home in the heavenly Canaan.

The rings sat near the border. May this not suggest that the holiness of God's table was never meant to shut His people out from enjoying communion with Him, even in the wilderness? Wherever He led them, His table should go with them, for it is only defilement that shuts a person out from communion, not trial. All the paths over which the weary feet of the Lord's saints may have to tread have already been trodden by our Lord Jesus, of whom the table speaks.

There may be danger, scorn and hatred of the world, persecution, affliction — He has passed through all of these, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). Not only has He passed through this world, but His promise is, "Behold, I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20). The rings might well suggest the abiding character of His presence. So the believer can boldly say: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps. 23:5).

The four gold rings for the poles were placed under the table top, on the legs. The priests put the poles through these rings to carry the table. Again, they could use no vehicle: this was the priests' responsibility. Fellowship is not automatic.

Four is the number symbolizing what is universal or worldwide. We speak of "the four winds" (Ezek. 37:9); of "the four corners of the earth" (Isa. 11:12).

A moulding of gold was to run right round the table. Inside that moulding there seems to have been a frame a handbreadth wide, about four inches (v. 25). Another moulding then ran along the inside of the frame. The frame likely extended over the legs. Two gold rings went close to the frame at each end of the table, underneath the frame, so that poles could carry it.

There were also four golden rings "upon the four corners that were in the four feet (legs?) thereof; close by the border were the rings." Into these, two staves of acacia wood overlaid with gold were passed, for carrying the table through the wilderness.

Then we have the provision for the journey... The children of Israel were pilgrims in the wilderness. So the tabernacle and all its furniture were made for them in that character, and went with them in all their wanderings. Christ is always with His people. The rings and poles themselves, just like the table, are made of gold and acacia wood, and point to Him as the God-man.

Could there be a suggestion in the rings being near the border — that the holiness of God's table was not meant to shut His people out from enjoying communion with Him, even in the wilderness? Wherever He led them, His table was to go with them. Only defilement shuts us out from communion; trial does not. Every path the weary feet of the Lord's saints may have to tread has already been trodden by our Lord Jesus, of whom the table speaks. There may be danger, scorn and hatred from the world, persecution, affliction. He has passed through all of it, "yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

The four gold rings for the poles sat under the table top, on the legs. The poles went through these rings, and the priests carried the table. Again, they could use no vehicle: this was priestly responsibility. Fellowship is not automatic.

Not only has He passed through this world, but His promise is, "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). The rings might well suggest the abiding character of His presence. So the believer can say with confidence: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Psalm 23:5).

A molding of gold was to surround the entire circumference of the table, and a frame of a handbreadth (about four inches) was evidently inside the molding (v. 25), then another molding on the inside of the frame. The frame likely extended over the legs, and two gold rings were put close to the frame at each end of the table, that is, underneath the frame, so that it could be carried by staves. The staves (or poles) were again made of acacia wood overlaid with gold (v. 28).

The children of Israel were pilgrims in the wilderness. So the tabernacle and all its furniture were made for them in that character, and went with them in all their wanderings. Christ is always with His people. The rings and staves, just as much as the table itself, are made of gold and acacia wood. They point to Him as the God-man.

It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with pure gold. (Ex. 25:23-25.) The acacia wood is a type of what is human; and gold, as always, is an emblem of what is divine. So we have here presented to us a figure of Christ in His human and divine natures as combined in His person.

The rings were set near to the border. May this suggest that the holiness of God's table was not meant to shut His people out? They could still enjoy communion with Him, even in the wilderness. Wherever He led them, His table should go with them. Only defilement shuts us out from communion — trial does not. Our Lord Jesus, of whom the table speaks, has already walked every path the weary feet of His saints may have to walk. There may be danger, scorn and hatred of the world, persecution, affliction — He has passed through all of these, "yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).

Not only has He passed through this world in this way, but His promise is, "Behold, I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20). The rings might well suggest the abiding character of His presence. So the believer can boldly say: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps. 23:5).

The four gold rings for the staves (or poles) sat under the table top, on the legs. The priests put the poles through these rings to carry the table. Again, they could use no vehicle: this was the priests' responsibility. Fellowship is not automatic. The utensils that went with the table — dishes, cups, bowls and pitchers — were made of gold. Everything about fellowship is to be ordered for the glory of God, down to every detail.

But that which the tabernacle spoke of will one day reach its fulfilment. In the figure, the staves were drawn out when it reached the land, the emblem of rest. So we read in the Bible's one beautiful description of the eternal state. Then everything will be for ever according to God, in all the indescribable blessedness of His Being: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God" (Rev. 21:3).

The table had various vessels of pure gold for use upon it — "his dishes and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal." It is thought that this last clause would be better translated, "flagons to pour out with." The "dishes" may have been to hold the bread, and the "spoons" the frankincense. The "bowls" were perhaps for receiving the drink offerings poured out of the "flagons."

All the vessels that belonged to the table were made of gold. Gold stands for what is divine. That suited the service of the One who was truly God revealed in human flesh. In the coming day of Israel's blessing, Israel will confess Him as their Lord and their God. So every detail, as well as the whole table, speaks of Christ. May our eyes be opened to see every aspect of His person and work, as the Spirit of God presents it to us!

The spoon would serve for the frankincense, to put it on the bread; the flagons and bowls would hold the wine of the drink offerings. So not only is the food prepared, but also the means of setting it out in order, with all that goes with it of joy and delight. For God truly delights in Christ (the frankincense), and has a joy which human hearts cannot fathom — a joy which the "blood of the grape" expresses, and which carries us back to the pouring out of that precious Life on the cross.

The material of these vessels was pure gold; all here is divine. What God provides for the service of communion comes wholly from Himself, and human devices have no place here. Someone may say that ministry needs some regular order and provision. That is quite true — only the provision is not human but divine. Every effort to provide for the ministry of God's table by human appointment is an insult, however unintended, to the love, grace, and holiness of God.

The dishes, pans, pitchers and bowls that went with the table were all made of pure gold. This is because the fellowship of God's people is to be on a divine level, that is, "fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

If this privilege is beyond words, how great also is the responsibility to be "a vessel for honorable use" (2 Timothy 2:21), sanctified and ready for the Master's use. But only what divine grace has worked in us can be fit for the Master's use. That grace teaches us to renounce "ungodliness and worldly passions" (Titus 2:12), and leads a person to cleanse himself from what is dishonorable.

Then there was the showbread. They were set in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord. Showbread means literally "bread of the face" — that is, the bread before God.

This was for God's eye, for the table was before the Lord. (Lev. 24:6.) So Moses the mediator first set them in perfect order, and after that Aaron the priest was to keep them in order continually. Pure frankincense was put upon them, and this was burnt as a sweet aroma to the Lord... The word "showbread" means bread of display, or setting forth. Israel is the people in whom the Lord will display Himself in government upon the earth. They may have completely broken down and be scattered and stripped, but before the Lord they are always kept in the order of the pure table, by the great Priest, according to God's design.

Here the table, made of the same material as the ark, must speak of Christ as the ark does. Christ, then, is here the Sustainer of communion... The gold outside shows us the Lord, not as He was in His humiliation upon earth, but glorified in heaven... He is there now — risen, ascended, glorified, His work accepted — and He sustains us in the place of fellowship with God.

Next came the table, and upon it a defined supply of bread. For what was presented there? One loaf? No such merely human thought entered, as if God needed bread from man. The bread on the golden table was twelve loaves, in clear correspondence with the twelve tribes of Israel. But this was certainly in connection with Christ, for He is always the object of God's counsels.

They represent, I have no doubt, Christ in immediate connection with "the twelve tribes of Israel."... The twelve tribes are always before Him. Their memorial can never perish. They are ranged in divine order in the sanctuary, covered with the fragrant incense of Christ, and reflected from the pure table on which they rest. They lie beneath the bright beams of that golden lamp, which shines undimmed through the darkest hour of the nation's moral night.

The twelve loaves speak of Israel in its twelve tribes. They are set before God in all the precious fragrance of Christ. They are kept there through all the dark night of God's severe chastening for their unfaithfulness and unbelief... On this early page of God's word we see a hint of the principle the apostle states plainly in Romans 11:29: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

To the priests, then, the showbread belongs, and as we have seen repeatedly, the priests represent the people of God, who are all priests (1 Peter 2:5; Rev. 1:6). The showbread is also spoken of as the presence-bread, and, as the food of the priests, it speaks of Christ as the food of His people — no longer on earth, but now glorified, and as minister of the heavenly sanctuary... His place determines our place before God.

All Christians are priests, and partakers of the Lord's table, but we have no figure of the broken loaf in the showbread. It would rather be Christ as the bread that came down from heaven. Only we must remember now that we have to feed on Him in death to have any part in the living bread.