Bible Pathways Daily Bible Reading Devotional

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East
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Bible Pathways 2/10/2004

Read Leviticus 24 -- 25

In Today's Reading:

The Tabernacle, Candlestick, Showbread; blasphemy; year of jubilee; laws concerning redemption of property and the poor

The Lord commanded Moses that the children of Israel bring you pure oil from olives beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually (Leviticus 24:2). They were given detailed instructions for making the Showbread. 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 (gold) table before the LORD. . . . Every Sabbath he (the high priest) shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant (agreement) (24:5-9).

The term Showbread literally means "bread of the face" and presence of God," signifying that He and His Word alone sustained their lives. When the priests ate the bread, it illustrated Israel's dependence upon God. The loaves 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, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7:26), Who also is the Bread of Life (John 6:35,48).

The aromatic frankincense that was required to be placed on the loaves is symbolic of prayer and praise to God Who sustains us through His Word, 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 faced 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 Golden Candlestick's light was the only light in the Holy of Holies and it shone upon the sacred Showbread that 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 born again 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 (Galatians 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).

Pray For:

Government Officials: Gov. Frank Keating (OK), Rep. Walter Jones, Jr. (NC), and Rep. Robert Simmons (CT) · Country: Netherlands (16 million) in northwestern Europe · Major language: Dutch · Religious freedom · 39% Roman Catholic; 29% Protestant; 2% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord with all of your heart, and tell others of the marvelous things He has done (Psalm 73:28).

Optional Reading: Mark 13

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9



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