Both Pieces of Furniture (using that word reverently) are located in the Tabernacle proper, in the Holy Place. (Not the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant is situated.) Yes, both the Lampstand and the Table of Bread.

And they faced each other, clearly. (The Tabernacle was always pitched eastward. With the Lampstand on the south side of the Holy Place and the Table of Shewbread on the north side.)

Then we learned that the Lampstand was to be “lit” (exactly as God commanded) so that the radiance from it would shine “toward, upon” the Table of Bread! With its twelve loaves, representing the people of God!

Citing Numbers 8:2-3, an Addendum to our chapter here, to Leviticus 24. “Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light OVER AGAINST (‘paniym’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘facing’) the candlestick. And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof OVER AGAINST (‘facing”) the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.”

See it?

Don’t miss this.

This marvelous Light (Jesus and the Holy Spirit empowering Him) is to shed its glorious Splendor upon the twelve loaves, upon godly (saved) Israel!

This is a picture of God fellowshipping with man! God designing the very Tabernacle to reflect that longing of His Heart! And this is man basking in the Light of the Glory of God, of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Communion indeed, in the deepest sense of the word!

This was the goal (although it failed) in the Garden of Eden, God’s ultimate Desire! This is the final Result of the New Jerusalem and all eternity. Jesus (the Living Candlestick) shining all over us the people of God! (No sun needed there, the ineffable Aura of God the Son bespeaks His Presence and His Delight in His Body, His Church, His Kingdom! In all His precious redeemed ones!

Wow!

And just “when” (in ancient Israel) was this sublime Fellowship, this sweet Communion to occur?

Primarily and particularly for the Jew … on the Sabbath Day! (In fact, that Bread, all twelve loaves, was to be changed every Sabbath! Renewed, refreshed, recreated (in a way) … to further soak in the Light emanating from the Candlestick/Lampstand!

And just think of the quality of Light in that Room! A golden Candlestick, a golden Table, and gold overlaid walls! What reflectivity, what radiance, what brilliance! Then think of the Glory of Jesus we (in a limited sense) now enjoy … via the Word of God and the Holy Spirit!

What will it be when we see Jesus literally? The Mount of Transfiguration re-lived in front of our very eyes!

Wow!

Now tomorrow, the Lord willing … we shall look at the rest of Leviticus 24, which mentions (three times) “the Name of the Lord.” 

A man there would NOT honor “the Name of the Lord!” He blasphemed Almighty God, in reality! The Very Name we must have “shining” upon our lives, being diminished (in verses 10-16) by derogatory speech!

Yes, I am saying that Communion/Fellowship with God (the principle illustrated by the Candlestick and Shewbread) is dependent on one’s valuation of God’s Name! On one’s delighting in God’s Name!

But as I said … more tomorrow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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