Day #262 - The Table

The Presence - A Devotional for Living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder

““Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high... Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭25:23, 30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash

What is your favorite place to be with your family?

My favorite place to be with my family is around a table. I love it when we share a delicious meal and have interesting conversations. A meal around our table is usually loud. My children all try to tell different stories or see who can get a laugh. Grace cooks delicious food to fill our stomachs and the time of being together fills our hearts. This is how I grew up and I enjoy raising our kids the same way with family dinners around our table several days a week.

The tabernacle had a table set in the holy place or the inner court. It was made of wood and covered in gold. It had many intricacies to its design but I want to focus on how it represented our fellowship with Christ. A table is place for fellowship and eating a meal together with someone represents the sharing of life with one another.

"To see the face of one," or "to be in his presence" was considered by the Jews as terms expressive of great favor and honor. Those who were permitted to see the face of the King were regarded as his favorites and friends. The bread upon the Golden Table was in the Holy Place in the presence of the King of glory. What a privilege! It was also called "Continual Bread." The King's Table was always abundantly supplied. Those of us who are redeemed are continually in the presence of God, and are to be communicating with Him as He communicates with us. His "face" is shining upon us, and our "faces" are ever to shine towards Him. This is holy "communion.’” 1

This “Bread of the Presence” was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus being the Bread of Life that came down from heaven. Jesus has connected us to “the Presence” and because it is through Him we always have access to this fellowship and communion with God. Its in Jesus that we get to behold the face of God. Being in “the Presence” is a place to share our life as He has shared Himself with us. This is a mutual exchange. He sets the table for us in giving us Himself and we keep bread before Him at all times. He has initiated communion with us and we respond by communing with Him. The table is where we meet the Lord in communion.

Lord Jesus, thank you that You gave of Yourself to be the Bread of Life that has come down from heaven. I want to commune with You. As You share Your life with me, I share my life with You. Let me see Your face. I long for a greater fellowship. No one else but You will do. In Your holy name, amen.

1  Lascelle, Ruth Specter; A Dwelling Place for God, p. 53-54.