This table was made of acacia wood (shittim wood) and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:23). The wood speaks of the sinless humanity of Jesus Christ. The Septuagint calls it “incorruptible wood.” The prophetic word in Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus is “a root out of a dry ground.” Zechariah 6:12 calls him the Branch: “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place.”
Jesus’ humanity is overlaid with pure gold speaking of His divine nature. He was “God manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16).
The table of shewbread represents fellowship and communion. Exodus 25:23 is the Bible’s first mention of a table on earth. However, because the tabernacle table for the shewbread was a pattern after the heavenly table in the heavenly tabernacle, we know that the table was in heaven and continues in heaven for all eternity.
Jesus referred to His table in heaven when talking to His disciples on earth:
Luke 22:30: “That ye may eat and drink at MY TABLE in my kingdom.”
Matthew 8:11: “And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down (always inferring to eat at the table) with Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”
In the temple there was more than one table of shewbread.
Tables are not only for eating to satisfy the physical body, but for fellowship together and communion with the Lord. We should use the humble tables in our homes at the end of each meal to open God’s Word and commune with Him.
God’s table in the wilderness was to establish fellowship and communion with His priests. God loves to have fellowship with us who are now His priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6 and 5:10).
To be continued.
Be encouraged,
Colin Campbell