Ex 37:10-16 • Fed By Faith: The Table of Showbread

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

If you remember in Ex.35-40 we’ll be looking at the construction of the Tabernacle as well as the various articles for the Tabernacle.…

And the Priestly Garments for those who minister in the Tabernacle…

So this section of the book involves & revolves around the Work that will be done for the Lord - It’s all about Israel’s obedience to the Lord.

So far we’ve looked at several things pertaining to Israel’s Obedience:

In Chapter 35, Israel’s Obedience Involved: Their Priority, Giving, the Holy Spirit, and Sufficiency.

In Chapter 36, Israel’s Obedience Involved: The Actual Building of the Tabernacle.

Last time we were together, we started ch. 37 and we saw the Israelites obedience as it pertains to all the furnishings that will be inside the tabernacle.

2. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to verses 10-16 and our study for today as we continue to look at Israel’s Obedience and all the Furnishings that will be inside the Tabernacle. Read…

The Title of today’s message is: Fed by Faith: The Table of Showbread

Because as you saw in our quick reading of today’s scripture, we are looking at another furnishing or object that will be inside the tabernacle. The Table of Showbread.

1. The Table of Showbread Vs. 10-16

1.1 Vs. 10

Table: 3’ long x 1’-6” wide x 2’-3” tall…

This was put in the Holy Place, the room outside of the Holy of Holies…

Maybe show video…

1.2 Vs. 11-16

Handbreadth is about 3”… so a 3” inch frame around the whole table…

In pagan temples, there was something similar too. The food for the god would be placed on a similar table.

And this is a powerful contrast because during this time many ancient pagan cultures, their worship was like a transaction.

They would offer sacrifices or gifts to deities in hopes of securing favor, blessing, or provision.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we have this mindset when we worship the God of the Bible, where we approach God with a series of transactions: whether it’s obedience, worship, or service in exchange for blessings, answers to prayers, or tangible benefits.

Here, the table of showbread shows us the this process but in reverse.

Leviticus 24:5–6 NKJV

5 “And you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it. Two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake. 6 You shall set them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure gold table before the Lord.

Leviticus 24:7–9 NKJV

7 And you shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, an offering made by fire to the Lord. 8 Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the Lord continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him from the offerings of the Lord made by fire, by a perpetual statute.”

It was not Israel that fed God; rather, God was the One who invited his people into his “presence” to feed with them, providing sustenance for each of the tribes of his people.

And we see that supported by the fact that Aaron and his sons, representing the 12 tribes, were the ones who ate the bread.

To remind them of their Provisions from God… & their Dependency on God…

APPLICATION: How important it is that we are totally dependent upon the Lord for everything… for providing all our need according to His riches in glory…

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

But Also, notice how much the gospel exceeds that of the law.

Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon. That was the intent.

Only after a week the priests were the only ones able to eat of it.

Now contrast that with the table which Christ has spread in the new covenant all are invited guests; and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread.

The law only gave us a glimpse of something from far away, but the gospel lets us fully enjoy it and warmly welcomes us to it.

Matthew 22:1–2 NKJV

1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,

Matthew 22:3–4 NKJV

3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’

Matthew 22:5–6 NKJV

5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.

Matthew 22:7–9 NKJV

7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’

Matthew 22:10 NKJV

10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

You see, Jesus declares Himself to be the "bread of life" (John 6:35).

John 6:35 NKJV

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Just as bread sustains physical life, Jesus sustains spiritual life. He is the true bread from heaven who gives life to the world. In Him, we find our sustenance, our nourishment, and our very life.

The Table of Showbread was a constant reminder to the Israelites of God's faithfulness in providing for their physical needs.

In a similar way, Jesus, the true bread of life, is God's ultimate provision for our spiritual needs—forgiveness, salvation, and a relationship with Him.

APPLICATION: In conclusion and as the Worship Team comes back up…

and as we learn about the Table of Showbread, let it draw our hearts to Jesus, the Bread of Life. In Him, we have all that we need.

May we come to Him daily, hungry for the spiritual nourishment only He can provide.

We should remember that our physical needs, while important, pale in comparison to our need for Christ.

He is our sustenance, our provision, and our life. In every season, may we trust in Him to meet our deepest needs, for He is faithful.

ENDING……