What is the meaning of Exodus 25:23? You are also - The phrase signals that the Lord’s instructions are ongoing and interconnected. He has just detailed the Ark (Exodus 25:10-16), Mercy Seat (25:17-22), and Lampstand (25:31-40); now He moves to the table, showing that every item in the tabernacle has a divinely ordered place and purpose. - Cross references: Exodus 25:8-9 “They are to make a sanctuary for Me… in accordance with all that I show you”; Hebrews 8:5 reminds us these plans mirror heavenly realities. to make a table - A literal, physical table is required, not a symbol or idea. God provides concrete furniture for a real meeting place with His people. - This table will later hold “the Bread of the Presence” (Exodus 25:30), twelve loaves replaced weekly (Leviticus 24:5-9), testifying to God’s continual fellowship and provision. - Cross references: Exodus 37:10 records Bezalel’s precise obedience in building the table; 1 Kings 7:48 shows Solomon placing similar tables in the temple. of acacia wood - Acacia is dense, resistant to rot and insects—ideal for a portable sanctuary in the wilderness. The choice underscores durability and purity for objects dedicated to the Lord (Exodus 26:15; Deuteronomy 10:3). - The same wood forms the Ark and the altar, uniting all pieces in material and purpose. two cubits long - Approximately three feet (90 cm), giving ample surface for the twelve loaves yet keeping the table light enough for transport. - The length aligns with the tabernacle’s overall proportions, where nothing is random (Exodus 37:10). - Cross reference: Numbers 4:7 describes priests covering and carrying this very table during travel. a cubit wide - About eighteen inches (45 cm). The narrow width keeps the loaves in a single line, hinting at order among the tribes they represent (Exodus 25:30). - Cross reference: Exodus 30:2 shows the altar of incense sharing this same width, reinforcing standardized design. and a cubit and a half high - Roughly twenty-seven inches (68 cm), a comfortable height for priests to tend the bread while standing (Leviticus 24:8). - The height echoes the Ark’s 1½-cubit measurement (Exodus 25:10), subtly linking God’s throne (the Ark) with His provision (the table). - Cross reference: Exodus 37:25 notes the altar of incense also stands 1½ cubits high, creating harmony among holy furnishings. summary Exodus 25:23 gives a straightforward, literal command: build a specific table exactly as God says. Each detail—sequence, material, and measurement—reveals the Lord’s precision, permanence, and desire for ongoing fellowship symbolized by the Bread of the Presence. The verse teaches obedience to God’s exact word and confidence that He provides enduring, tangible means for His people to draw near. |
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