Read Exodus 29
Highlights:
Precise detail is given to fulfill God's will. The exceedingly great importance of the Ten Commandments written by God's own finger! The high priest foreshadows Christ, our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16; 9:11-12, 24-28).
And I will sanctify the Tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office (Ex. 29:44).
After the priest had washed his hands and feet at the laver, he then proceeded toward the Tabernacle and entered through a heavy linen veil — the only door to the Holy Place. On the left was the seven-branched candlestick, made of solid beaten gold. It provided the only source of light in the Holy Place. The golden candlestick was actually a seven-branched lampstand. The Hebrew meaning of the word is light-bearer.
The priest of God enjoyed the holy bread in the light of the seven lamps which burned with pure olive oil (Ex. 25:31-37; Lev. 24:2,4). The work of the Holy Spirit can never be separated from the work of Christ in and through His disciples. The seven lamps were there, but priestly effort and diligence were needed to keep them trimmed and burning bright. Without this light, the room would have been in total darkness.
The candlestick represents Christ, who said: I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life (John 8:12, also Rev. 1:12-20). He also said: Yet a little while is the Light with you. Walk while ye have the Light . . . . believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light (John 12:35-36).
The lampstand tells us of the gracious provision which the Lord has made for all believers. The Church functions as the light of the world in the energy of the Holy Spirit. Walk in the light, as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). He has provided just one Book as the source of light and discernment to comprehend His will (Ps. 119:105,130; Prov. 6:23).
On the right was the table of showbread with its twelve loaves of unleavened bread sprinkled with incense. After seven days the bread was eaten by the priest's family, but only in the Holy Place (Lev. 6:16-26; 24:5-9). None could be removed and eaten elsewhere. The name of the bread suggests more than just bodily nourishment. It implies the gaining of spiritual insight that is not obtainable in any other way.
The showbread is yours. Your place is at His pure table to feed upon Christ, the Living Word, in the light of the Holy Spirit. And as we continue to read His Word with a dependence upon the Holy Spirit, our lives will continue to become more and more an expression of His life. Showbread is also symbolic of the priceless, incomparable value of our Bible. Beyond our ability to explain, the Holy Spirit enlightens, empowers, and then transforms the lives of those who prayerfully continue to “eat” the Word of God, the Bread of Life.
But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).
Thought for Today:
The angels teach us that worship is not just an activity for us as individuals, but is also intended to be done as a group (Luke 2:13; also Heb. 10:25).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Laver, Christ is revealed as both the container and the dispenser of Living Water (Ex. 30:18; John 4:10). Jesus . . . cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. . . . ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you (John 7:37, 15:3; compare I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
29:22 caul, fatty appendage on the liver; 29:24 wave them, present them with a waving motion; 29:39 even, twilight; 30:25 apothecary, perfumer.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask in the name of Jesus for His glory, and your request will be granted (John 14:13-14).
Optional Reading: Matthew 27
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 100:5
