Christian Living
Show Bread
I bought a fancy, white lace tablecloth during a spring white sale a few years back. It was truly gorgeous, but I had no practical use for it. I had thought at the time that I might use it for a special party or shower for one of my friends. However, most of the wedding and baby showers I attend are held at the church fellowship hall. The only gathering I have had in a few years was a Tupperware party and the lace tablecloth just didn’t compliment the theme. It was more of a red checkered affair, with picnic leftovers stored in the guest of honor. Anyway, the tablecloth hasn’t proved to be a real good investment as yet, or so I thought.
Home décor magazines and southern hospitality publications show extravagant table settings with elegant china and centerpieces made with exotic flowers. Shiny goblets and matching silverware catch the eye when browsing through such home and garden issues. I used to imagine guests in flowing gowns and tuxedos mingling around my plantation style mansion in the south waiting to dine at such a table. Well, about the only reality of that is, I do live in the South.
The magazine’s table settings seem to be placed year round in the same positions awaiting unseen guests. Table settings and such aren’t as important to me as I had imagined as a young girl playing house years ago had. These days I am lucky if I can get the glasses to match when more than four people sit down to eat and I sure don’t get invited to many social events that require a tablecloth. Paper plates and plastic forks work well around my house.
Sometimes though it is important to have the table set and ready. In the Old Testament God told Moses how He wanted His table set and what items to place upon it. His table held golden utensils of grandeur. They had been measured and assembled to His desire. Upon that very same table there was bread. This bread called showbread was of special significance, for it was to be eaten by the priest and his family only. No others were permitted.
In Leviticus, God’s instructions and restrictions were detailed as to the preparation and table position of this bread. I guess this was the first documented account of table etiquette. Miss Manner’s hadn’t a clue that Moses had written decorum before forks to the right, spoons to the left. Or is that the other way? I never remember. But it was imperative that the Israelites followed the outline to the letter when God gave instructions.
Regarding whom could eat the bread and how old it must be before removed and replaced confused me somewhat. Why was the bread always present and what am I to learn from this chapter in Leviticus and the prior reference to showbread in Exodus? After a few more readings of the same verses I began to understand that God always has the table set. The bread symbolized many things. The manna, the daily bread, the bread of Christ, the Bible – all these could be recognized if you read the verses at least twelve times. There were twelve loaves of bread representative of the twelve tribes of Israel and it took me at least twelve times to identify my relationship to God in these verses. As He provided manna for the Israelites, He provides for me. “Give us this day our daily bread,” Christ taught us to pray. The sustenance of Christ and the relationship to the Lord’s Supper, as well as how I can be fed daily by reading God’s word were woven into these few verses about a table setting and the food upon it.
I keep that lacy tablecloth of mine in the linen closet, folded and creased just in case the need to use it arises. I see it each time I put clean towels away. It is amazing that when I wonder if I will ever use it, I am reminded of God’s table and that Christ has invited me sit among His saints. I may not know which fork to use, but the bread is within reach.
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