Exodus 26:35
And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side.
And place the table
The Hebrew word for "table" is "שֻׁלְחָן" (shulchan), which signifies a place of fellowship and provision. In the context of the tabernacle, the table held the Bread of the Presence, symbolizing God's continual provision and presence with His people. This table is a precursor to the communion table in Christian worship, where believers remember Christ's sacrifice and God's provision of spiritual sustenance.

outside the veil
The "veil" (Hebrew: "פָּרֹכֶת" - paroket) was a significant barrier within the tabernacle, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil represented the separation between God and humanity due to sin. In the New Testament, the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the removal of this barrier, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus.

on the north side of the tabernacle
The "north side" of the tabernacle was a specific location that held symbolic meaning. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the north was often associated with mystery and divine presence. Placing the table on the north side may signify the mysterious and divine nature of God's provision and presence, inviting the Israelites to trust in His unseen hand.

and put the lampstand
The "lampstand" (Hebrew: "מְנוֹרָה" - menorah) was a vital source of light within the tabernacle, symbolizing God's guidance and the light of His truth. The menorah's design, with its seven branches, is often seen as a representation of perfection and completeness, pointing to the perfect light of Christ, who declared Himself the "light of the world" (John 8:12).

opposite it on the south side
The "south side" placement of the lampstand ensured that its light would illuminate the table and the Bread of the Presence. This strategic positioning highlights the importance of God's light in revealing His provision and truth. In a broader sense, it reminds believers that the light of Christ should illuminate every aspect of their lives, guiding them in truth and righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

3. Table of Showbread
A sacred table placed on the north side of the tabernacle, holding the bread of the Presence, symbolizing God's provision.

4. Lampstand (Menorah)
A seven-branched lampstand placed on the south side of the tabernacle, symbolizing God's light and presence.

5. Veil
The curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, representing the barrier between God and humanity due to sin.
Teaching Points
God's Order and Design
The specific placement of the table and lampstand reflects God's intentional design and order in worship. This teaches us the importance of following God's instructions in our lives and worship practices.

Symbolism of Provision and Light
The table of showbread and the lampstand symbolize God's provision and light. As believers, we are called to rely on God's provision and reflect His light in the world.

Access to God's Presence
The veil in the tabernacle represented separation due to sin. With Christ's sacrifice, the barrier is removed, granting us direct access to God. This encourages us to approach God with confidence and gratitude.

Holiness in Worship
The careful arrangement of the tabernacle's furnishings underscores the holiness required in worship. We are reminded to approach God with reverence and purity in our worship today.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the specific placement of the table and lampstand in the tabernacle reflect God's order and design in worship?

2. In what ways can we rely on God's provision and reflect His light in our daily lives, as symbolized by the table of showbread and the lampstand?

3. How does the tearing of the veil at Jesus' crucifixion impact our understanding of access to God's presence today?

4. What lessons can we learn about the importance of holiness and reverence in worship from the arrangement of the tabernacle's furnishings?

5. How do the roles of the table and lampstand in the tabernacle connect to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, particularly in John 8:12?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 24:5-9
Describes the preparation and placement of the showbread, emphasizing the importance of God's provision and presence.

John 8:12
Jesus declares Himself the Light of the World, connecting to the symbolism of the lampstand as a representation of divine light.

Hebrews 9:2-3
Discusses the layout of the tabernacle, including the placement of the table and lampstand, highlighting the significance of these items in worship.

Matthew 27:51
The tearing of the veil at Jesus' crucifixion, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity.
Jehovah's DwellingJ. Orr Exodus 26:1-37
The Tabernacle ItselfD. Young Exodus 26:1-37
Significance of the Cherubim in ExodusH. W. Soltau.Exodus 26:31-37
The Cherubims on the VailH. Macmillan, D. D.Exodus 26:31-37
The Door of the TabernacleR. E. Sears.Exodus 26:31-37
The Door of the TabernacleH. W. Soltau.Exodus 26:31-37
The Pillars of the VailH. W. Soltau.Exodus 26:31-37
The Tabernacle VailsW. L. Watkinson.Exodus 26:31-37
The Vail of the HoliestB. Keach.Exodus 26:31-37
People
Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Candlestick, Curtain, Hast, Lampstand, Lamp-stand, Lights, North, Opposite, Outside, Over-against, South, Southward, Support, Tabernacle, Table, Towards, Vail, Veil
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 26:35

     5373   lamp and lampstand
     5573   table

Exodus 26:1-37

     5207   architecture
     5578   tents

Exodus 26:30-37

     5917   plans

Exodus 26:31-37

     7459   tabernacle, in OT

Library
Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year Over, with Ease, Profit, and Reverence.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it. As--First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life. Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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