Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread
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In the rich tapestry of Old Testament symbolism, the Table of Showbread stands as a profound type of Christ, offering deep insights into His person and work. The Table of Showbread, also known as the Bread of the Presence, was a significant element within the Tabernacle, later incorporated into the Temple, and is detailed in the book of Exodus.

Biblical Description and Function

The instructions for the Table of Showbread are found in Exodus 25:23-30. The table was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, measuring two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high. It was to have a gold molding around it and was equipped with rings and poles for transport. The table held twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, which were to be placed before the Lord continually.

Exodus 25:30 states, "And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times." This bread was a perpetual offering, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people, and was replaced every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:5-9).

Typology of Christ

1. Bread of Life: The Showbread, as a type of Christ, prefigures Jesus as the Bread of Life. 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." Just as the Showbread was a continual offering before God, Christ is the eternal sustenance for believers, providing spiritual nourishment and life.

2. Presence of God: The term "Bread of the Presence" underscores the idea of God's presence with His people. In Christ, the presence of God is fully realized. John 1:14 affirms, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Jesus, as Immanuel, "God with us," embodies the divine presence, fulfilling the symbolism of the Showbread.

3. Communion and Fellowship: The Showbread also signifies communion and fellowship with God. In the New Testament, this is mirrored in the Lord's Supper, where believers partake of the bread, symbolizing Christ's body given for them. 1 Corinthians 10:16 states, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" Through Christ, believers enter into a covenant relationship, sharing in His life and blessings.

4. Provision and Sustenance: The Showbread was a reminder of God's provision for the Israelites, just as Christ is the ultimate provision for humanity's spiritual needs. Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." In Christ, believers find their every need met, both physically and spiritually.

Priestly Role and Access

The priests alone were permitted to eat the Showbread, signifying a special access to God's provision. In Christ, the priesthood of all believers is established, granting every believer access to God through Him. Hebrews 4:16 encourages, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Conclusion

The Table of Showbread, with its rich symbolism, points to the multifaceted work of Christ as the Bread of Life, the presence of God, and the source of spiritual sustenance and fellowship. Through this typology, believers are invited to partake in the fullness of life offered in Christ, experiencing His provision, presence, and eternal communion.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 25:23-30
You shall also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:16
And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:48
I am that bread of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptural Types.
... the characteristics belonging to the types themselves, beginning ... redeemed on earth
through Jesus Christ; secondly, in ... golden candlestick, and its table of show ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

"In Remembrance of Me"
... was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He would thus bring to an end
the system of types and ceremonies ... Christ is still at the table on which ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 72 in remembrance of.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... they refused to be defiled by meat from the king's table, from their ... But even the
types are not destroyed, but fulfilled; for Christ, in bringing to ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

On Communion in the Lord's Supper.
... their windows.' (Isa.60:8) May thy table, O Lord ... that all who profess to have received
Christ Jesus the ... more immediate worship where all these types and shadows ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xviii on communion in.htm

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... veiled and shadowed, and covered under divers types, ceremonies, and ... of devils, and
eat of the table of devils ... and that that other command of Christ, Ye ought ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

Christ Our Passover
... of the historical books were intended to be types either of ... so much as the thought
that in Christ my life ... Now, dear friends, in coming to this table, we will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... and received the benediction, it is a holy table, an altar ... it, it is called, and
becomes, the Body of Christ. ... Let us recall its types to those who love good ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

John vi. 41, 42
... Job 31:31.) Wherefore this also Christ hath done ... Let us then return from that table
like lions ... blood consecrated [1308] priests, this in types cleansed [1309 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlvi john vi 41.htm

Questions About the Lord's Supper
... offer sacrifices daily, and were types and figures ... They are Christ's ambassadors,
messengers, witnesses, watchmen, shepherds ... Is the table in the Lord's Supper ...
/.../chapter xx questions about the.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... By Types Drawn from the Old Testament, the Use of Wine ... the chalice; she hath also
furnished her table: and she ... sacrifice of God the Father and of Christ we do ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

Resources
What are the different types of angels? | GotQuestions.org

Are there different types of demons? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of love mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Types

Types of Christ: Aaron

Types of Christ: Abel

Types of Christ: Abraham

Types of Christ: Adam

Types of Christ: Ark

Types of Christ: Ark of the Covenant

Types of Christ: Atonement, Sacrifices offered on the Day of

Types of Christ: Brazen Altar

Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent

Types of Christ: Burnt offering

Types of Christ: Cities of Refuge

Types of Christ: David

Types of Christ: Eliakim

Types of Christ: First-Fruits

Types of Christ: Golden Altar

Types of Christ: Golden Candlestick

Types of Christ: Isaac

Types of Christ: Jacob

Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder

Types of Christ: Jonah

Types of Christ: Joseph

Types of Christ: Joshua

Types of Christ: Laver of Brass

Types of Christ: Leper's offering

Types of Christ: Man

Types of Christ: Melchizedek

Types of Christ: Mercy-Seat

Types of Christ: Morning and Evening Sacrifices

Types of Christ: Moses

Types of Christ: Noah

Types of Christ: Paschal Lamb

Types of Christ: Peace offerings

Types of Christ: Red Heifer

Types of Christ: Rock of Horeb

Types of Christ: Samson

Types of Christ: Scape Goat

Types of Christ: Sin offering

Types of Christ: Solomon

Types of Christ: Tabernacle

Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread

Types of Christ: Temple

Types of Christ: Tree of Life

Types of Christ: Trespass offering

Types of Christ: Vail of the Tabernacle and Temple

Types of Christ: Zerubbabel

Types of the Saviour

Types of the Saviour: Abel

Types of the Saviour: Adam

Types of the Saviour: David

Types of the Saviour: Eliakim

Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship

Types of the Saviour: Jonah

Types of the Saviour: Manna

Types of the Saviour: Melchizedek

Types of the Saviour: Moses

Types of the Saviour: Noah

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Altar

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Laver

Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent

Types of the Saviour: The Cities of Refuge

Types of the Saviour: The Curtain

Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses

Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat

Types of the Saviour: The Morning and Evening Sacrifice

Types of the Saviour: The Paschal Lamb

Types of the Saviour: The Red Heifer

Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices

Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life

Types: Miscellaneous: Bride, a Type of the Body of Christ

Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary

Types: Miscellaneous: The Saving of Noah and his Family, of the Salvation Through the Gospel

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Types of Christ: Tabernacle
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