January 27
Exodus 29 -- 31
The priests, who ministered in the Tabernacle, had to be cleansed before entering. So, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, You shall also make a Laver of Brass, and its foot (base) also of brass, to wash . . . and you shall put it between the Tabernacle of the congregation and the Altar, and you shall put water in it. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet there (Exodus 30:17-19). After a priest had washed his hands and feet at the Laver, which provided cleansing from the activities of life, he then was qualified to enter the Tabernacle through a heavy linen veil which was the only entrance into the Holy Place.
On the right of the doorway, across from the Candlestick, was the Table of Showbread with its 12 loaves of unleavened bread sprinkled with incense. The 12 loaves represented the 12 Tribes, which were continually before the face of God symbolizing the everlasting covenant between Him and His people. The name Showbread suggests more than just bodily nourishment. It implies spiritual insight that is not obtainable anywhere else. The Showbread is symbolic of Christ, who said: I am the Bread of Life. . . . the Living Bread that came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever (John 6:48,51). Just as physical food is assimilated to sustain our physical lives, so too, as we continue to "read" the Word of God which is the True Bread of Life, the Holy Spirit enlightens and then transforms our lives. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby (I Peter 2:1-2).
On the left, across from the Table of Showbread was the seven-branched Candlestick, made of solid, beaten gold. This Light-bearer, translated Candlestick, was actually a seven-branched Lampstand which burned with pure olive oil and provided the only source of light in the Holy Place (Leviticus 24:2-4). Only on the Sabbath could the priests of God enjoy eating the Showbread by the light of the Candlestick's seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-37). Oil and fire are both symbolic of the Holy Spirit without whom we would remain in the darkness of sin, without His enabling power in our lives.
Christ said: I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life (John 8:12). We are further told by our Lord that the Golden Candlestick represents His body -- the Church (Revelation 1:20) and its members are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). God has provided just one Book -- the Holy Bible -- as the source of light for understanding His will (Psalms 119:105,130; Proverbs 6:23).
It is the whole armor of God that enables us to withstand (the devil) in the evil day (Ephesians 6:11,13). The appropriation of the Word of God in our lives provides each part of this armor, including the only God-ordained weapon the child of God is to use in spiritual warfare -- the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Thus properly prepared, we are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:17-18).
Word Studies:
29:22 caul = appendage on the liver; 29:24 wave them = present with a waving motion; 29:39 even = twilight; 30:25 apothecary = perfumer.
Prayer:
Government Officials: Rep. Helen Chenoweth (ID), Rep. Steven Kuykendall (CA), Rep. John Mica (FL), and Rep. William Pascrell (NJ) · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on KIJN-AM/FM, Farwell, TX · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast in memory of Tim Peterson · Country: Suriname (402,000) on the northeastern coast of South America · Major languages: Dutch and English · Very limited religious freedom · 27% Hindu; 22% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 20% Muslim; 6% witchcraft and spirit worship · Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord: where He guides, He provides (Psalms 16:1-8).
Optional Reading:
Matthew 27
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 12:6