The Table of Pure Gold
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The Table of Pure Gold, also known as the Table of Showbread, is a significant artifact described in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This table held a central role in the worship practices of ancient Israel, symbolizing God's provision and covenant with His people.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the Table of Pure Gold are found in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 25:23-30 , God commanded Moses: "You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it." The table was to have a rim, a handbreadth wide, with a gold molding around the rim. Four gold rings were to be attached to the table at the four corners, serving as holders for the poles used to carry it. The poles themselves were to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold.

The table was to be placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, on the north side, opposite the lampstand. It was to hold the Bread of the Presence, also known as the showbread, which consisted of twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These loaves were to be set before the Lord continually, as a perpetual covenant (Leviticus 24:5-9).

Symbolism and Function

The Table of Pure Gold and the Bread of the Presence held deep symbolic meaning. The bread signified God's provision and sustenance for His people, a reminder of the manna provided during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. It also represented the covenant relationship between God and Israel, with the bread being a continual offering before the Lord.

The table itself, made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, symbolized the divine nature and holiness of God. The use of gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, underscored the sacredness of the items associated with worship in the Tabernacle.

Priestly Duties and Rituals

The priests were responsible for maintaining the Table of Pure Gold and the Bread of the Presence. Every Sabbath, the loaves were replaced with fresh bread, and the old loaves were consumed by the priests in a holy place, as stipulated in Leviticus 24:9 : "It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings made to the LORD."

The Table in the Temple

When Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the Table of Pure Gold was included in the furnishings of the Holy Place. 1 Kings 7:48 notes, "Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence." The continuity of the table's presence from the Tabernacle to the Temple highlights its enduring importance in Israelite worship.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the Table of Pure Gold, the concept of bread as a symbol of God's provision and presence is echoed in the teachings of Jesus. In John 6:35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement connects the physical sustenance provided by the showbread with the spiritual sustenance offered through Christ.

The Table of Pure Gold, therefore, serves as a profound symbol of God's eternal provision and covenant, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Life.
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