Bible Pathways 02/10/05
February 10
Read Leviticus 24 - 25
In Today's Reading:
The Tabernacle, Candlestick, Showbread; blasphemy; year of jubilee; laws concerning redemption of property and the poor
Following the command of God for the children of Israel, that they bring to you (Moses) pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually (Leviticus 24:2), they were given detailed instructions for making the Showbread. And you shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof. . . . And you shall set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. . . . Every Sabbath he (Aaron the high priest) shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant (24:5-9).
The term Showbread literally means "bread of the faces." They were placed before the presence of God," signifying that He and His Word alone sustained their very lives. By eating the bread, the priests confirmed Israel's dependence upon Him. The 12 loaves contained no leven since they primarily were made of fine flour - coarse flour could not be used, for these loaves represented Christ, the perfect One, holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26), who sustained the 12 tribes.
The aromatic frankincense that was required to be placed on the loaves is symbolic of praise to God as well as a reminder that Christ, as the Bread of Life, provides true satisfaction. How sweet are Your words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103).
The loaves also picture Christ, who endured the fierce oven of affliction and crucifixion to come forth as the Bread of Life. Jesus declared: He that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst (John 6:35). The 12 identical loaves were a reminder that the Lord was the satisfier and sustainer of all 12 tribes.
Light is a revealer of truth, and the light of the Golden Candlestick shone upon the sacred Showbread that also typified Christ. For the Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world (6:33) As we read His Word, the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, provides light on the moral and spiritual values of life. This light enables Christians to fulfill one of their essential missions to the world: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Word Studies:
24:4 order the lamps = see that they are continually supplied with oil and kept in trim; 24:19 blemish = injury; 25:35,39 be waxen poor = has become impoverished; 25:36 usury = interest on loans; 25:39 bondservant = slave; 25:43 rigour = harshness, severity.
Christ Portrayed:
By the kinsman-redeemer (Leviticus 25:47-55). Christ is our Savior (Luke 2:11) and Redeemer (Gal. 3:13) who made us His kinsmen: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Iva Ann McElroy · BP Staff: Rebecca Hahn · Government Officials: Gov. Frank Keating (OK), Rep. Walter Jones, Jr. (NC), and Rep. Robert Simmons (CT) · Country: Lithuania (4 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe · Major languages: Lithuanian and Russian · Limited religious freedom · 80% Roman Catholic; 5% Russian Orthodox; 1% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Remember that one of the purposes of prayer is to glorify God (Psalm 115:1).
Optional Reading: Mark 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 5:24
