The height of the table of showbread was the same as the height of the ark. This shows that the measure of communion (found in the table of the showbread) and holiness (the ark) must always be Christ who never changes. This is most necessary in these days of carelessness, for God never lowers His standard, and holiness always becomes His house (Psalm 93:55Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. (Psalm 93:5)).
Around the edge of the table was a border, a handbreadth wide, and then there was a crown of gold above it. This would impress on our minds afresh the dignity (the borders) and glory (the crown of gold) of the Person whose table it was. How little is thought of this today, for the hand of man gets busy, and tables are set up, all claiming to be the Lord’s Table. Let us test their claims by the Word of God and see if there is the golden border and the crown of gold round about.
The Showbread and Staves
On the top of the table were twelve loaves of bread, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This bread was the food of the priests. Even when, through failure, the ten tribes separated from the two, God’s thoughts about His people did not change and the twelve loaves were still to be placed there. Surely these things have an important lesson for us, for although there are not twelve loaves on the table now as in Israel’s day, there should be one whole loaf figuring the one body of Christ composed of all believers (1 Corinthians 10:16-1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17)). True, the church of God is sadly divided — even worse than Israel’s division — but the one loaf on the table still speaks to faith of the one body of Christ — perfect and complete in Christ the Head (Ephesians 1:22-2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)). It is also a symbol, when broken, of the Lord Jesus’ own body given in death for us.
There were rings and staves in the side of the table so that the Levites could carry it from place to place on their wilderness journey. This would remind us that we, like the Israelites of old, are pilgrims on our way home. Some of them had doubted God’s power and had asked, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psa. 78:1919Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? (Psalm 78:19)). They limited His power on their behalf, but how bountifully He met all His people’s needs every step of the way in spite of their unbelief. How wonderfully He has met ours, too, supplying both our temporal and spiritual needs.
Lampstand
Over against the table was the golden candlestick or lampstand. It was beaten out of a talent of pure gold and had seven branches. Its size is not given, for the light and glory of the Person of Christ are infinite — they cannot be measured. There was no natural light in the holy place, the only light there being that given by this wonderful seven-branched candlestick. Undoubtedly this has a voice for us even today, for in the understanding of the things of God we must not allow natural wisdom or reasoning to work. It would be like allowing natural light to enter the holy place. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life — and the Life was the Light of men (John 14:6; 1:46Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)). All truth centers around Him, and is only apprehended by the Spirit. The candlestick with its seven branches, three branching from either side and one in the center, would remind us of this fact, for we read of the “seven Spirits of God” (Rev. 3:11And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)) in Isaiah 11:22And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; (Isaiah 11:2) and Revelation 5:66And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6). Seven, in Scripture, always speaks of perfection, and so the Spirit of God by His perfect knowledge will lead us into all truth when we are walking in communion.
Further Meditation
1. What did the showbread represent?
2. Oil was the fuel for the lampstand. How does this symbol help us to understand more the benefit we receive in our souls from the person of Christ?
3. Another nice book on the tabernacle that will help with its symbols is Foreshadows by E. C. Pressland.