Êxodo 25

Êxodo 25

MacArthur - “Bread of His Presence” was not set out in order to feed Israel’s God, unlike food placed in pagan shrines and temples, but to acknowledge that the 12 tribes were sustained constantly under the watchful eye and care of their Lord. The bread was eaten in the Holy Place each Sabbath by the priests on duty (Lev 24:5–9+). The bread of the Presence is understood to typify the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bread which came from heaven Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. (Jn 6:32–35). David Thompson - It is interesting that this (BREAD) is the only food that was to ever be placed on this elaborate table. The utensils were used for other things but this was the only food item ever to be put on this table. We may assume that the bread would only be unleavened bread, although that is not specifically stated here. The point of this is to build the table to Divine specs. The bread was actually called “the bread of the Presence.” What this means is that this bread was set in the presence of God and God would fellowship with His people. Now most of the food that was offered to God was given outside the tent in the tabernacle courtyard. It was sacrificed and burned on the altar. But this bread was inside and close to the ark. That bread was to be on that table “before Me at all times.” So when the table was being moved from one place to another, the bread was to go along with it. This bread on the table at all times depicted the presence of God with His people at all times (Ex. 33:14-15). We know that one key reason why this bread is so important at all times is that this bread is a type of Christ. Jesus Christ is the bread of life (John 6:35). In fact, he took bread and said this is My body which is broken for you. Jesus Christ is the very key to us have a continual relationship with God and without Christ we do not have a relationship with God. Ryken adds: The showbread - or "shewbread," as William Tyndale called it when he translated the Bible into English - was baked the day before the Sabbath. Then on the Sabbath the priests ate the old bread and set the new bread on the table in twelve loaves (see 1 Sam. 21:6; 1 Chron. 9:32). These were not loaves in the modern sense but more like large round cakes. The bread was made of fine wheat flour, doubtless unleavened, but beaten up light, baked in twelve loaves, containing each one fifth of an ephah of flour (or about four quarts) . . . probably . . . twelve inches in diameter and four inches thick - still a large family loaf. Most modern translations say the bread was lined up in two rows, but it may have been stacked in two piles. This was the bread of the Presence on the golden table in the tabernacle. (PW-Ex) G C