INVITE GOD'S PRESENCE

"Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood . . .
and thou salt overlay it with pure gold"
(Exodus 25:23, 24).

The first mention of table in the Bible is the Table of Shewbread. This table is also called the "continual table," the "pure table," the "table of the presence," "the table of gold," and the "table of ordering."

On the table the priests placed twelve loaves of bread each week. The loaves of bread sat on the table in the presence of the Lord for one week before replacing them with twelve new loaves. The priests then gathered together to eat the bread that was taken off the table. They ate and fellowshipped together in the presence of the Lord. They did not eat stale bread as the bread stayed warm and fresh as it lay in the presence of the Lord.

The bread upon the table was also called "the bread of the presence." The Hebrew is "lechem ha panim," meaning "bread of faces." Not one face, but many faces. The bread speaks of Jesus Christ who is our daily provision, sustenance, and nourishment. Jesus came as "the bread of life." Our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, does not have only one attribute, but many attributes or "faces." He is everything we need. He is the God who is Enough.

Not only does the bread speak of the many revelations of His character, but the bread also reveals the truth of God's people living in His presence. God wanted twelve loaves of bread to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. We who have come to Christ are now also His people and  come under the continual presence and watchfulness of God.

It's interesting that this table was made of acacia wood, a very common tree, speaking of Christ's humanity. But it was also covered with pure gold, speaking of His divinity. This applies to us at our tables. We come to our tables with all our children, and I am sure you agree with me, that many times it's very "earthy"!

Rarely does anything go perfectly. We are in the process of training children to sit at the table, we are stopping quarrels and seeking to keep order. But God understands. He wants us to invite Him to our table. He wants to come. He wants to come and cover our humanity with His divinity! Isn't that wonderful?

The Table of Shewbread is the picture of the very first table. It is the picture of the provision of food for the physical and the spiritual man. Each time we come to the table we feed our bodies, but we also take time at the end of the meal to open God's Word and receive revelations of His truth and divine character. Remember, we eat the Bread of Faces. Many faces. New revelations every day. Always fresh.  There is never an end to the feast on God's table.

It was called the "continual table" and the "continual bread" because it was always on the table. Exodus 25:30 (NET) states: "You are to set the Bread of the Presence on the table before me continually."  

As the priest changed the bread each week, one set of priests would be ready to place the new bread on the table as another group of priests took the previous bread off the table. There was to be no lapse between the changeover.  

Make your table a place for the presence of the Lord. Invite Him to your table. Bask in His presence. Be renewed as you feed from Jesus Christ, the Bread of many Faces.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:
I thank you, dear Father, that our table is very significant in Your eyes. I thank You that I can gather my family to the table where we can sit in Your presence. I thank You that we can also come to Your table and eat from Your eternal Word as we open the Bible at the end of our meal. Help me to prepare the way each evening to help my family meet with You in Your presence. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I am preparing my table each evening, not only with physical activity of cooking, but preparing hearts to receive soul and spirit food.

P.S. Scriptures that speak about the Table of Shewbread:
Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16; Leviticus 24:5-9; Numbers 4:4, 7, 8; 2 Kings 7:48; 1 Chronicles 23:29; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11; and 29:18.