The Bread of the Presence and The Light of the World
We’ve seen in the last few chapters of Exodus that the Lord’s instructions for His people are intentional, and do not lack purpose and meaning.
The instructions in the latter half of Chapter 25, for the table and the lampstand that were to be placed in the sanctuary within the tabernacle, were no different.
The table, made from acacia wood, and complete with gold furnishings, was to hold the bread of the Presence, an offering to the Lord that was to be present at all times.
Twelve loaves were to be present, representing the tribes of Israel, as a way to remind the children of Israel that God has provided, and will continue to provide for their every need.
This character trait of God as a provider who gives us all that we need, and nothing that we don't, is what makes Him a good Father, worthy of our trust today. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to look with expectation in faith in God to give us this day our daily bread.
Later in that chapter, He affirms this promise from God by reminding God’s people not to worry about their daily provisions, because they have a Father who knows how to take care of all of His creation. And he demonstrated that by taking care of man’s greatest need.
With the entrance of sin into God’s creation, the world fell into a darkness that humanity was unable to reconcile. We don’t have to look far to see the effects of that darkness in our world this very day.
One beautiful part about studying the Old Testament is that we can see that God was always pursuing his people. Thousands of years before His children knew the name ‘Jesus’, God was pointing them to the Savior that they desperately needed through the building of the tabernacle, furniture, and the sacrificial system. Because of Jesus, the sacrificial requirements that were needed to enter into the dwelling place of God are no longer necessary. We can now enter into the presence of a loving God through the sacrifice of God the Son.
We see through Jesus’ teachings that His coming fulfilled a greater need than satisfying our physical hunger. Jesus, as the “bread of life,” was God’s provision for the fulfillment of the hunger in our souls.
The lampstand, made from pure gold and filled with ornately beautiful detail, was to represent the only light strong enough to extinguish the darkness in the world. In the presence of God, there is light and life, and the people of God who draw near to Him, are promised peace in the midst of a dark and broken world.
The light of God is best represented in the face of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Belief in Him, guarantees us a deposit of that light within us through the spirit, that we might be ambassadors for His goodness and mercy, and His saving grace to shine His great light to those around us. To the glory of our father.
Questions to Consider:
What are some natural things that we as humans have a tendency to try and use to fill our supernatural desire for God?
How can you make space in your day to fill yourself with the truth of God?