Exodus 37:10-16: a reflection

10He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Among the furnishings of the tabernacle, the craftsmen made the table, overlaid with pure gold, on which the bread of the Presence would be set continually before the LORD. This table, kept always before God with its bread, was a place of continual fellowship, a symbol of God's provision and communion with his people. The bread set before God spoke of his people's fellowship with him, a place laid, as it were, for communion between God and his people. The table pictured provision and fellowship with God.

Notice what the table represented: God's provision and continual fellowship with his people. The bread of the Presence was set on the table before God always, a symbol of his people brought into fellowship with him, and of his provision for them. It was like a table laid for communion, a place where God and his people met, the bread speaking of provision and fellowship. God did not keep his people at a distance; the table of the Presence spoke of a fellowship, a communion, a provision at his own table. The table pictured a God who provides for his people and brings them into fellowship with him.

That is worth taking to heart, for God provides for his people and brings them into fellowship with himself. We can think of God as distant, providing at a remove, not bringing us into fellowship; but the table of the Presence pictured a God who provides for his people and brings them to his table in communion. And this fellowship is fulfilled in Christ, who brings us into communion with God and provides for us. Do not think of God as distant, providing at a remove; he provides for his people and brings them into fellowship with himself, as the table of the Presence stood always before him. Rejoice that God provides for you and brings you into fellowship with himself, as the bread of the Presence stood continually before him, picturing his provision and communion with his people; for God is not distant, but provides for his own and brings them to his table in fellowship, fulfilled in Christ, in whom we have communion with God.

Lord, among the furnishings of the tabernacle, the craftsmen made the table, overlaid with pure gold, on which the bread of the Presence would be set continually before you. This table, kept always before you with its bread, was a place of continual fellowship, a symbol of your provision and communion with your people. The bread set before you spoke of your people's fellowship with you. Show me what the table represented: your provision and continual fellowship with your people. The bread of the Presence was set on the table before you always, a symbol of your people brought into fellowship with you, and of your provision for them. It was like a table laid for communion, where you and your people met. You did not keep your people at a distance; the table spoke of a fellowship, a provision at your own table. Take that to my heart, for you provide for your people and bring them into fellowship with yourself. I can think of you as distant, providing at a remove, not bringing me into fellowship; but the table of the Presence pictured a God who provides for his people and brings them to his table. And this fellowship is fulfilled in Christ, who brings me into communion with you. Keep me from thinking of you as distant; you provide for your people and bring them into fellowship with yourself, Lord. Help me rejoice that you provide for me and bring me into fellowship with yourself, as the bread of the Presence stood continually before you, fulfilled in Christ, in whom I have communion with you.