The Table of Showbread

Passing from the “holy of holies” into the “holy place,” the first thing one would meet would be the golden altar of incense, but no mention is made of it here. As it was a vessel of approach unto God, the account of it is not given until after the priesthood is established. The ark, the mercy seat and other pieces of furniture yet to be considered, manifest God’s character, and because of this have been called by some, “vessels of manifestation.” Other pieces, instead of specially showing forth His holiness and righteousness, speak of how He may be approached, and these have been called “vessels of approach.”
Before God manifested Himself in Christ, and Christ became the way of approach, the people had to approach Him through the mediation of the priesthood. We can thus understand the choosing and consecration of the priests being described before the vessels of approach are taken up. This is not confusion; the perfect order that governs God in all His ways may be seen in it.
The Table of Showbread
The table of showbread is now described (Ex. 25:23-30). Its materials being the same as those of the ark, we have Christ in type brought before us again. Christ in His varied perfections and glories may be seen at every point when God’s dwelling place with man is viewed in connection with the tabernacle; this it is that makes its beauty and its blessedness. The “border of a handbreadth” crowned with gold (Ex. 25:25) was doubtless, in its natural use, to hold the loaves of bread in their position on the table.
Does not this speak of the One who is holding His own secure, and out of whose hand no power can pluck them? “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Eternally secure! That hand of power, actuated by that heart of love, holding His ransomed ones until He has them safe home with Himself, beyond the reach of every foe.