Exodus 25:23-30

²³ “You should make a table of acacia wood. Its length should be two cubits, its breadth a cubit, and its height a cubit and a half. ²⁴ You should overlay it with pure gold and make a border of gold around it. ²⁵ And you should make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a border of gold around the rim. ²⁶ And you should make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. ²⁷ The rings should be placed close to the frame, serving as holders for the poles to carry the table. ²⁸ You should make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table should be carried with these. ²⁹ And you should make its plates and dishes for incense, and its pitchers and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you should make them of pure gold. ³⁰ And you should place the face bread on the table before me regularly.

face bread

Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy elders had just had a communion meal before the LORD at Mount Sinai. Now, the LORD instructs the Israelites to construct a special table to go into the tabernacle to serve as a reminder of his continual presence. Fresh bread was to be regularly placed on that table. It was to be called “face bread”[1] In that special meal, those leaders saw God, and ate and drank. The table was to be a reminder that the covenant believers need not fear the face of the LORD, because he wants to have fellowship with them. The blood of the covenant has removed the barrier of fear.

LORD, thank you for your abiding presence. We come to you today boldly, enjoying fellowship with our Savior God.

[1] lechem panim.