The bread of Life

Read Ezekiel 41.

Ezekiel's visionary tour of the future Temple continued.  The three-story structure will include a surrounding gated wall with a spacious outer court.  Inside will be an inner court with many rooms for storage and priestly usage.  Details of the dimensions and, even some architectural features, are provided.  The one furnishing mentioned in this chapter is an altar referred to as "the table that is before the LORD" (v.22).

It is not clear how this table, or altar, will be used.  The size is larger than either the original "table of the bread of Presence" or "the altar of incense," as described in Exodus 25:23 and 30:1-2.  However, the given name in verse 22 would seem to indicate the former.

According to Leviticus 24:5-9, the priest was to bake twelve loaves of unleavened bread every Sabbath day and place them on the table in two rows of six.  The number of loaves represented the tribes of Israel. The priest would then pour pure frankincense over them.  It was an aromatic "food offering to the LORD."  Symbolically, this served as a reminder that God provided for their physical needs, their daily bread.

Concerning daily needs, Jesus said, "Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)

But greater than meeting our temporary physical needs, Jesus came to meet our eternal spiritual need.  He taught His followers, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."  "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life."  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." (John 6:35, 47, 51)