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  (EXODUS) EXODUS 25:23-28
  by J. Vernon McGee
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Summary: The table of showbread in the tabernacle represents God's
provision and care for His people, and it points to Christ as the source
of spiritual nourishment and life.

Duration: 4:12 Topics: "Tabernacle Symbolism", "Atonement Theology"
Scripture References: Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:23-40, Exodus 27:1-2, Exodus 30:1-10, Hebrews 9:5

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DESCRIPTION
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In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of settling the
sin question before being able to worship God. He explains that in the
tabernacle, there are two articles of furniture in the outer court, the
brazen altar and the laver, which represent Christ settling the sin
question. Moving into the holy place, the preacher focuses on the table
of showbread, which symbolizes God providing equally for all the tribes
of Israel. The sermon also mentions the layout of the tabernacle and the
significance of the mercy seat, which represents Christ's sacrifice and
the throne of God as a place of mercy.

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CONTENT
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Now, we come to the table of showbread, and there are seven articles of
furniture in the tabernacle. If you find out where they're placed, it'll
sure be helpful. There were three sections or compartments of the
tabernacle.

We are moving, as the Bible moves, from the inside where God was. The
tabernacle proper was 30 cubits by 10 cubits by 10 cubits. And that was
divided into two compartments, the Holy of Holies, 10 by 10 by 10, and
in it, it had the Ark and the Mercy Seat.

We saw that last time. That Mercy Seat with the cherubim overshadowing
it, it is the most ornate part of the tabernacle. There's no idol in
there at all.

These two cherubim look down upon the top where the blood was placed.
Did you know that was the same thing Adam and Eve saw when they looked
back at the Garden of Eden when God put them out? They looked back, and
they saw cherubims keeping the way of life. They saw the blood of the
animals.

They were wearing the skins. And the cherubim were looking down. That
kept the way of life open.

God wasn't blocking them from coming into the Garden of Eden. He was
keeping the way open for them to Himself. And when Moses made this, it
was a replica of the same thing Adam and Eve had seen.

Now, it looks into the future. It speaks of the fact that Christ today
has made a Mercy Seat for us. That is, the throne of God has become a
Mercy Seat.

He died down here, took His blood up there, and the throne of God today
is a place where a holy God can extend mercy to you and to me. Then when
you come into the outer court here, which is the tabernacle proper, the
holy place, it has three articles of furniture. The altar of incense,
the golden altar, and then the golden lampstand and the table of
showbread.

And this was the place of worship. It speaks of worship of God. It's
very important.

Then in the outer court, you have two articles of furniture, a laven, a
brazen altar. And here's where the sin question was settled. These two
articles of furniture speak of Christ as He settled the sin question.

In the holy place, it's worship. The sin question has to be settled
before you can worship God. Now, we have the instructions here for the
table of showbread.

And it's showbread because the table had on it loaves of bread. They
were arranged in two rows of six each. Now, there are different
explanations of just how they were arranged, and I must confess I can't
tell from reading this just how they were.

I just feel like it was very simple. There were two rows on top of the
table, six in this row, six in that row, and each speaking of a tribe of
Israel. In other words, God was providing equally for all.

Now will you notice, I'm reading, "...thou shall also make a table of
chitim wood. Two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the
breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof." Now, you'll
notice that the table of showbread, it's two cubits long, and it is a
cubit wide, twice as long as it is wide, and a cubit and a half the
height thereof. It's the same height as the mercy seat or the ark.

"...and thou shall overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown
of gold round about." That is a border or sort of a sideboard around the
table, keep the bread, of course, from falling off. Verse 25, "...and
thou shall make unto it a border of a handbreadth round about, and thou
shall make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. And thou
shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four
corners that are on the four feet thereof." And again, this was staves
were to be put through these rings, and on the wilderness march it was
carried on the shoulders of priests.

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Audio: https://sermonindex1.b-cdn.net/11/SID11594.mp3
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/j-vernon-mcgee/exodus-exodus-2523-28/
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