Chapter 16
THE FURNISHINGS
Part II - The Table of the Bread of the Presence, The Lampstand and The Altar of Incense
Before we begin this portion of our study of the Temple's furnishings let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father God, please help us to better understand the purpose and foreshadowings of the Temple and its furnishings. Father, not only do we wish to have a better understanding of these things, but please use our study to bring us to a closer and more vibrant relationship with You and Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Amen
To place our study into the proper framework let us first recap what we discovered in chapter 15.
RECAP
In our previous study, that is chapter 15, we explored the construction, placement, purpose and spiritual significance of the Ark of the Covenant and the Veil.
We found that inside the Most Holy Place the chest of the Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written. On top of the chest was the Atonement Cover. On opposite ends of the Atonement Cover were two cherubim that faced each other. It was between the cherubim and on top of the Atonement Cover the Presence of God resided. We also saw that it was on top of the Atonement Cover where the High Priest sprinkled the blood of sacrifice for the forgiveness of his and the people of Israel's sins. This fixture revealed to the people of Israel and now us two major truths. First it showed that God's Law, as stern as it was and is, is also covered with God's provision for His Mercy. Hence the reason some Bible translations identify the Atonement Cover as the Mercy Seat. Secondly, it also revealed the two covenants: (1) the Law given through Moses and (2) God's Grace and Mercy extended through Jesus Christ.
We also discovered that to separate the Holiest of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle, a large Veil or curtain was erected. Thus, the Ark of the Covenant with the Presence of God upon it could not be seen by anyone inside the Tabernacle. The exception to this law was that once a year the High Priest was to go through the Veil into the Holiest of Holies to make atonement for his and the people of Israel's sins. We then discovered that the Veil and the action of the High Priest entering into the Holiest of Holies was also a foreshadowing. It pointed to the time when Jesus Christ would enter into Heaven's Holiest of Holies to make atonement once and for all for the forgiveness of sins. When Jesus did this the Veil was miraculously torn in two from top to bottom. This tearing of the Veil revealed three significant truths: (1) Jesus Christ did in fact enter into Heaven's Holiest of Holies and His atonement was accepted for the forgiveness of our sins, (2) the old covenant given through Moses was now obsolete and passing away and (3) the door is now open for every born again believer in Jesus Christ to enter into God's Throne Room. In Jesus' Name the born again believer can present directly to God the Father their petitions, prayers, thanksgivings and praises.
INTRODUCTION
With this background in mind let us now leave the Holiest of Holies, pass through the Veil and enter into the remaining portion of the Tabernacle. This second room of the Tabernacle was called the Holy Place. Inside the Holy Place were three major furnishings: (1) The Table of the Bread of the Presence, (2) the Lampstand and (3) the Altar of Incense.
Since God's Presence and Glory was behind the Veil were no one other than the High Priest was allowed to enter, these three furnishings served as a constant reminder to the priests who ministered in the Holy Place three of the many attributes or characteristics of God's nature.
To see this let us begin with,
THE TABLE OF THE BREAD OF PRESENCE
In some Bible translations the Table of the Bread of Presence is translated to be the Table of Show Bread. A description of this table is found in,
Exodus 25:23-30
""[25] Make a table of acacia wood--two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. [24] Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. [25] Also make around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. [26] Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. [27] The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. [28] Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with them. [29] And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings. [30] Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times."
In verse 30 above we are told that the Bread of Presence was to be placed upon this table. The Bread of Presence was actually twelve loaves of bread. To insure freshness, on each Sabbath, the priests replaced the old loaves with twelve new ones. To see this let us read from,
Leviticus 24:5-8
""[5] Take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. [6] Set them in two rows, six in each row, on the table of pure gold before the LORD. [7] Along each row put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be an offering made to the LORD by fire. [8] This bread is to be set out before the LORD regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant."
The spiritual significance of the Bread of Presence was twofold. First of all, the Bread of Presence was a constant reminder that it was God who provided and provides the people with the necessary provisions to sustain their life. The twelve loaves was also a constant reminder of how God fed the twelve tribes of Israel throughout their 40 year journey in the desert. Except on the Sabbath, every morning, like dew, God miraculously gave them Manna. Manna was a type of bread for them to eat. To see this let us read from,
Exodus 16:13-18
"[13] … in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. [14] When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. [15] When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. [16] This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'" [17] The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. [18] And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed."
And now let us read from,
Exodus 16:35
"[35] The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan."
The point of all this or the lesson God was teaching the Old Testament Israelites and now us is best summarized by Moses. Towards the end of their journey from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, Moses recounted to the people a summary of their travels. For this study let us read the following excerpt,
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
"[2] Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. [3] He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
This brings us to the second spiritual significance of the Bread of Presence. The Bread of Presence was also a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ who is the true Bread of Life. The Manna only sustained the Israelites in their physical or natural life. However, as we read the New Testament we discover that Jesus also gives us and sustains us with eternal life. This eternal life is attained through faith and trust in Him. To see this let us read the following excerpt of what Jesus taught the people the day after He miraculously fed 5,000 of them with only five barley loaves and two small fish.
John 6:47-51
"[47] I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. [50] But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.""
Let us now turn our attention to,
THE LAMPSTAND
The Lampstand was designed and constructed to hold seven lamps. A description of this fixture can be found in,
Exodus 25:31-40
""[31] Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. [32] Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand--three on one side and three on the other. [33] Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. [34] And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. [35] One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair--six branches in all. [36] The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. [37] "Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. [38] Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. [39] A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. [40] See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
Let us take special note of verse 40. Again we are reminded that the Temple, along with its furnishings, were designed by God.
The Lampstand along with its lamps were also to be placed in front of the Veil that separated the Holy Place from The Most Holy Place. One of the duties of the priests was to insure that the lamps were always lit. To see this let us read from,
Exodus 27:20-21
""[20] Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. [21] In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come."
The lamps upon the Lampstand provided light within the Tabernacle. They also served as a constant reminder that during their exodus from Egypt, God miraculously provided light for their night travels towards the promised land. To see this let us read from,
Exodus 13:20-21
"[20] After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. [21] By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."
The lamps upon the Lampstand was also intended to teach the Israelites then and now us three significant spiritual truths about God.
The first truth of the lampstand and the light emanating from it is that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. To see this let us read what the prophet Exekiel wrote about the vision he had of God. His first vision was by the River Chebar and is recorded in,
Ezekiel 1:1
"[1] In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God."
Now let us read an excerpt of what he saw,
Ezekiel 1:26-27
"[26] Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. [27] I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him."
While at home, Ezekiel had another vision of God. Let us read an excerpt of how he described this vision,
Ezekiel 8:1-3
"[1] In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign LORD came upon me there. [2] I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. [3] He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, ..."
With these descriptions by Ezekiel in mind let us now turn to the New Testament and read what the Apostle John had to say in,
1 John 1:5
"[5] This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."
The second spiritual truth from the Lampstand is that it is by God's light that we are led on the path of righteousness towards the promised land of Heaven. Specifically, it is God who leads us away from evil, which is darkness, and guides us, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, on the path of righteousness and light. To see this let us first read from,
Psalm 119:105
"[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
To see that the Holy Spirit also leads us and guides on the path of light let us read the following excerpt from where Jesus told His disciples about the arrival of the Holy Spirit,
John 16:13
"[13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth..."
The third and perhaps the most important spiritual truth from the light of the Lampstand is that it was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and His Deity. As we read the New Testament we find that in the beginning of his Gospel the Apostle John described the mission of John the Baptist. In his description the Apostle John also described Jesus Christ as the light. Let us read what he had to say from,
John 1:6-13
"[6] There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. [8] He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. [9] The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
The truth of the Deity of Jesus Christ was clearly revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration. To see this let us read what happened when the true nature of Jesus Christ was uncovered. It is recorded for us in,
Matthew 17:1-9
"[1] After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. [3] Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. [4] Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." [5] While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." [8] When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. [9] As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.""
Let us notice the following verses,
2 … Jesus' whole appearance changed into a brilliant light. In other words, Jesus' divine nature was revealed.
5 … The brilliant Presence of God the Father was hidden behind a cloud. Also notice that God the Father bore witness to the fact that Jesus Christ was His Son. Hen then told Peter, James, John and now us to listen to Him, that is Jesus Christ.
Thus, as we listen to and obey, that is follow, Jesus Christ and, by faith, allow Him to live His life through us, we will then have the light of life. To see this let us read from,
John 8:12
"[12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.""
Now that we have covered the spiritual significance of the Altar of the Bread of the Presence and the Lampstand, let us now explore the significance of,
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
A description of the Altar of Incense can be found in,
Exodus 30:1-6
""[1] Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. [2] It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high --its horns of one piece with it. [3] Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it. [4] Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding--two on opposite sides--to hold the poles used to carry it. [5] Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. [6] Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony--before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony--where I will meet with you."
As with the Altar of the Bread of the Presence and the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense was placed in front of the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Every morning and evening the priest was to burn incense upon this altar. This was done so that the sweet aroma of the incense was continually present before God. To see this let us read from,
Exodus 30:7-8
""[7] Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. [8] He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come."
As we study the Scriptures we discover that there is at least a twofold spiritual significance of the incense burned upon this altar.
The first significance of the incense is revealed to us in the Book of Revelation. We are first exposed to its significance when we read about the scroll and how Jesus Christ, the lion of the tribe of Judah, is the only one worthy to open it. The Scripture for this study is in,
Revelation 5:8
"[8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
In other words, the burning of the incense is symbolic of the prayers of God's people rising up before His throne. To see this we must remember that the Altar of Incense was placed right in front of the area where God's Presence and Glory resided. To amplify upon this a bit more let us return to the Book of Revelation. This time let us read the following excerpt of what will occur when Jesus Christ opens the seventh seal of the scroll.
Revelation 8:1-4
"[1] When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. [2] And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. [3] Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. [4] The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand."
The second spiritual lesson to be learned from the burning incense upon the Altar of Incense is that it was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. It pointed to the time when Jesus Christ would enter into Heaven's Throne Room to constantly intercede, that is pray, to God the Father for you and I. To see this let us read the following passage that provides us with another example of how much Jesus Christ cares about those that are His.
Romans 8:34
"[34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Before we close this study let us first summarize what we have discovered with respect to the furnishings that were placed in the Holy Place.
SUMMARY
As we explored the furnishings of the Holy Place we found that each one of them gave us a visual image of some of the many attributes or characteristics of God. The Bread of Presence revealed to us that it is God who provides us the necessities to not only sustain our physical life but also our spiritual life. The Lampstand revealed to us that God is light and it is He who leads us from the path of evil or darkness to the path of light to Him. The Altar of incense showed us that the prayers of God's people are always before Him.
We also saw that these furnishings also pointed to Jesus Christ, who is the Messiah. They pointed to Him who was and is the true and complete image of God Who came to save us from our sins. We find this clearly taught in,
Colossians 1:15-20
"[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
AMEN and AMEN