The Bread of Heaven
Exodus 25:30: "And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly."
Throughout their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites enjoyed the presence of God, the guidance of the Lord, and the provision of the Lord. Each morning when they awoke, the Israelites found a fresh covering of manna on the ground outside their tents. There was always enough to satisfy their needs. They would gather just enough for their family for that day, trusting that the following day, God would once again send down his bread. This daily provision taught the nation of Israel to look to the Lord to meet their needs as they journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land.
As a reminder of God's presence and provision, the tabernacle was to include the table for the "shewbread," or the bread of the Presence. On this table were twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. This physical reminder within the Holy Place demonstrated that God was the provider for his people, and that, just as God had provided bread in the wilderness, he will continue to provide for them and share a meal with them.
Despite the Lord's communing presence and continual provision, the nation of Israel would doubt God's goodness and care for them. The bread of the Presence within the tabernacle was there to help them remember all of God's miraculous provision through their wanderings. The bread told the story. As they faced new challenges and were tempted to grumble yet again against the Lord, the Lord invited them to come and share a meal to remember his goodness.
Just as the Israelites needed physical reminders of their story, so do we. When we face uncertainties and challenges in life, the tendency is to forget God or to get angry at him. The communion bread of heaven helps us to remember what he has graciously done for us in the past through the sacrificed body of Christ, given for us. It invites us to bring our present challenges and anxieties to the table of the Lord to find help. The meal with God at his throne of grace brings courage and hope. As the writer of Hebrews encourages, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
Reflection:
What is your story of God's presence and provision in your life? How does the body of Christ, the bread of heaven, serve as a physical reminder that prompts you to remember those acts of the Lord? Can you tell your story to another who needs encouraging today?
Throughout their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites enjoyed the presence of God, the guidance of the Lord, and the provision of the Lord. Each morning when they awoke, the Israelites found a fresh covering of manna on the ground outside their tents. There was always enough to satisfy their needs. They would gather just enough for their family for that day, trusting that the following day, God would once again send down his bread. This daily provision taught the nation of Israel to look to the Lord to meet their needs as they journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land.
As a reminder of God's presence and provision, the tabernacle was to include the table for the "shewbread," or the bread of the Presence. On this table were twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. This physical reminder within the Holy Place demonstrated that God was the provider for his people, and that, just as God had provided bread in the wilderness, he will continue to provide for them and share a meal with them.
Despite the Lord's communing presence and continual provision, the nation of Israel would doubt God's goodness and care for them. The bread of the Presence within the tabernacle was there to help them remember all of God's miraculous provision through their wanderings. The bread told the story. As they faced new challenges and were tempted to grumble yet again against the Lord, the Lord invited them to come and share a meal to remember his goodness.
Just as the Israelites needed physical reminders of their story, so do we. When we face uncertainties and challenges in life, the tendency is to forget God or to get angry at him. The communion bread of heaven helps us to remember what he has graciously done for us in the past through the sacrificed body of Christ, given for us. It invites us to bring our present challenges and anxieties to the table of the Lord to find help. The meal with God at his throne of grace brings courage and hope. As the writer of Hebrews encourages, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
Reflection:
What is your story of God's presence and provision in your life? How does the body of Christ, the bread of heaven, serve as a physical reminder that prompts you to remember those acts of the Lord? Can you tell your story to another who needs encouraging today?
No Comments