Bible Pathways - Feb. 10,2007
In Today's Scripture Reading:
The Tabernacle, Candlestick, Shewbread; blasphemy; year of jubilee; laws concerning redemption of property and the poor
Following the command of God that the children of Israel . . . bring unto thee (Moses) pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually (Leviticus 24:2), Moses was given detailed instructions for making the Shewbread. And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof. . . . And thou shalt 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 Shewbread literally means "bread of the face." The loaves of bread 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 leaven (which represents sin). They 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, is the Bread of Life and provides true satisfaction. How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103).
The 12 identical loaves were a reminder that the Lord was the satisfier and sustainer of all 12 tribes. The loaves also pictured Christ, who would endure the fierce oven of affliction and crucifixion to come forth as the Bread of Life. Jesus declared: He that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst (John 6:35). For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world (6:33).
Light is a revealer of truth, and the light of the Golden Candlestick shone upon the sacred Shewbread that also typified Christ. As we read His Word, the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, provides His light from His Word on the moral and spiritual truths of life. His light enables Christians to fulfill one of our essential missions to the world: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Word Studies:
24:4 order the lamps =b> see that they are continually supplied with oil and kept in trim; 24:19 blemish =b> injury; 25:35,39 be waxen poor =b> has become impoverished; 25:36 usury =b> interest on loans; 25:39 bondservant =b> slave; 25:43 rigour =b> harshness, severity.
Christ Portrayed:
By the kinsman-redeemer (Leviticus 25:47-55). Christ is our Savior and Redeemer (Isaiah 60:16) who made us His kinsmen: The Spirit Itself (Himself) beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Linda Kennon Government Official: Rep. Walter Jones Jr. (NC) Country: Equatorial Guinea (466,000) in western Africa Major language: Spanish Freedom for churches at this time 71% Roman Catholic; 19% ancestral spirit worship and medicine men; 6% Protestant Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to make you willing to go wherever He wants to send you (Isaiah 6:8).
Optional Reading: Mark 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:66
