Exodus 40:22
Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.
Moses placed the table

Moses set the Table of the Bread of the Presence in its appointed place, obeying the pattern God had given on Mount Sinai. Made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, it held the twelve loaves that testified to God’s covenant provision and fellowship with the twelve tribes of Israel.

1Ch 28:16 the weight of gold for each table of showbread,…
2Ch 4:19 Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God…
Lev 24:5-6 You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves…

in the Tent of Meeting

The table stood within the portable sanctuary where the Lord dwelt among His redeemed people. Israel’s worship was centered not on human invention but on God’s revealed way of approaching Him.

Heb 9:2 A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were…
Num 4:7-8 Over the table of the Presence they are to spread……
Exo 25:8 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,…

on the north side of the tabernacle,

The table occupied the north side of the Holy Place, opposite the golden lampstand on the south side. The ordered arrangement of the furnishings reflected the holiness and order of the God who commanded their use.

Exo 26:35 And place the table outside the veil on the north side…
2Ch 4:8 Additionally, he made ten tables and placed them…
1Ki 7:48 Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house…

outside the veil.

The veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark of the covenant stood before the glory of God. Access beyond that veil remained restricted until Christ offered Himself as the final sacrifice, opening the way into God’s presence for all who come through Him.

Lev 24:3-4 Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting…
Heb 9:3-5 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy…
Lev 16:2 And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to guide them through the wilderness. Moses is responsible for setting up the tabernacle according to God's instructions.

2. The Table
This refers to the Table of Showbread, which was placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It held the bread of the Presence, symbolizing God's provision and fellowship with His people.

3. Tent of Meeting
Also known as the tabernacle, it was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was a sacred space where God met with Moses and the priests.

4. North Side of the Tabernacle
The specific location within the Holy Place where the Table of Showbread was placed. The north side was significant in the layout of the tabernacle, reflecting order and divine instruction.

5. The Veil
A curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) in the tabernacle. It symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin.
Teaching Points
Obedience to Divine Instructions
Moses' careful placement of the table as instructed by God highlights the importance of obedience in our walk with God. We are called to follow His commands with precision and reverence.

God's Provision and Presence
The Table of Showbread symbolizes God's continual provision and desire for fellowship with His people. In our lives, we can trust in God's provision and seek His presence daily.

The Significance of Sacred Spaces
The tabernacle was a sacred space where God met with His people. Today, we can create sacred spaces in our hearts and homes where we intentionally seek God's presence.

Separation and Access
The veil in the tabernacle represented separation due to sin, but through Christ, we have direct access to God. This encourages us to approach God with confidence and gratitude.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' obedience in setting up the tabernacle challenge us in our own obedience to God's instructions today?

2. In what ways can we create "sacred spaces" in our daily lives to meet with God, similar to the Tent of Meeting?

3. How does the symbolism of the Table of Showbread as God's provision encourage us to trust in His provision in our current circumstances?

4. What does the veil in the tabernacle teach us about the separation caused by sin, and how does this relate to the access we have through Jesus Christ?

5. How can understanding the layout and significance of the tabernacle enhance our appreciation for the work of Christ as described in the book of Hebrews?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 24:5-9
This passage provides further instructions on the preparation and placement of the showbread on the table, emphasizing the ongoing covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Hebrews 9:2
This New Testament reference describes the layout of the tabernacle, including the placement of the table, highlighting its significance in the worship practices of Israel.

John 6:35
Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," drawing a spiritual connection to the showbread as a symbol of God's provision and presence.
The Erection of the TabernacleJ. Urquhart Exodus 40:1-33
The Tabernacle Set UpJ. Orr Exodus 40:1-33
Tabernacle ForeshadowingsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 40:1-38
The Primary and Universal Obligation to the Worship of JehovahJ. Allport.Exodus 40:1-38
The Setting Up of the Tabernacle on New Year's DayC. P. Eyre, M. A.Exodus 40:1-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Congregation, Curtain, Meeting, North, Northward, Outside, Putteth, Tabernacle, Table, Tent, Vail, Veil
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 40:22

     7474   Tent of Meeting

Exodus 40:22-23

     4418   bread

Library
July 7. "And the Glory of the Lord Filled the Tabernacle" (Ex. Xl. 35).
"And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex. xl. 35). In the last chapter of Exodus we read all the Lord commanded Moses to do, and that as he fulfilled these commands the glory of the Lord descended and filled the tabernacle till there was no room for Moses, and from that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed them, their guide, their protection. And so we have been building as the Lord Himself commanded, and now the temple is to be handed over to Him to be possessed and filled. He will
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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