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Commentary on Exodus 35 verses 1–19
It was said in general (Exo 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular mention of the orders given concerning it.
I. All the congregation is summoned to attend (Exo 35:1); that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the churches.
II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only, but Christ as a Son, Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6.
III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had received (Exo 35:2, Exo 35:3): Six days shall work be done, work for the tabernacle, the work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: but on the seventh day you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a sabbath of rest. It is a sabbath of sabbaths (so some read it), more honourable and excellent than any of the other feasts, and should survive them all. A sabbath of sabbatism, so others read it, being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both spiritual and eternal, which remains for the people of God, Heb 4:9. It is a sabbath of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly labour must be very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath and a little sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only observing the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning of it, and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and above out of their own time, and call a little sabbath, to show how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth to part with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the Lord, to whose honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed to the breach of it: Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Also a particular prohibition of kindling fires on the sabbath day for any servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers, etc.
IV. He orders preparation to be made for the setting up of the tabernacle. Two things were to be done: -
1.All that were able must contribute: Take you from among you an offering, Exo 35:5. The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of that was an offering to the Lord. Our goodness extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring. It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his subjects with taxes, nor make them to serve with an offering, but draws with the cords of a man, and leaves it to ourselves to judge what is right; his is a government that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from the willing heart of a willing people, Psa 110:3.
2.All that were skilful must work: Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make, Exo 35:10. See how God dispenses his gifts variously; and, as every man hath received the gift, so he must minister, Pe1 4:10. Those that were rich must bring in materials to work on; those that were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their ingenuity; as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, Co1 12:7-21. The work was likely to go on when some helped with their purses, others with their hands, and both with a willing heart. Moses, as he had told them what must be given (Exo 35:5-9), so he gives them the general heads of what must be made (Exo 35:11-19), that, seeing how much work was before them, they might apply themselves to it the more vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave them such an idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long to see it finished.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 35:13 meticulously lists the essential components of the Table of Shewbread—the table itself, its carrying staves, all its associated vessels, and the shewbread loaves—as part of the freewill offerings for the Tabernacle's construction. This verse underscores the divine demand for precise adherence to God's blueprint for worship, emphasizing His desire for order, His continuous provision for His people, and the profound sacredness of His dwelling place in their midst.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Exodus 35:13, and indeed throughout this section of Exodus, is Enumeration or Listing. This meticulous itemization of components ("the table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread") serves to emphasize the divine precision and the comprehensive nature of God's instructions for the Tabernacle. It conveys a sense of thoroughness, leaving no ambiguity regarding what is required for the sacred space and ensuring that every detail contributes to the overall sanctity and functionality of the sanctuary. Furthermore, there is profound Symbolism embedded within each item. The table itself represents the place of fellowship and divine sustenance, the staves symbolize portability and God's journeying presence with His people, the vessels denote the ceremonial purity and completeness required for worship, and the shewbread powerfully symbolizes God's sustaining presence and perpetual provision for His covenant community. This layered symbolism transforms mundane objects into sacred instruments of divine revelation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:13, by detailing the components of the Table of Shewbread, underscores several profound theological themes. It highlights God's meticulous nature, His desire for ordered and holy worship, and His unwavering commitment to dwelling among His people. The perpetual presence of the shewbread on the table signifies God's continuous provision for Israel and their ongoing fellowship with Him, serving as a tangible reminder of their absolute dependence on His grace and sustenance. This divine provision extends beyond physical nourishment to spiritual vitality, establishing a pattern of communion that would find its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. The verse also implicitly teaches the principle of consecrated giving, as these items were to be brought as freewill offerings, emphasizing that true worship involves both material contribution and obedient participation in God's sacred design.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous instructions for the Table of Shewbread in Exodus 35:13 invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of God's presence and His unfailing provision in our lives today. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to contribute to and respect the sacred space where God manifested His presence, we are called to recognize that God desires to dwell among us and within us, individually and corporately, through the Holy Spirit. The shewbread, symbolizing continuous divine sustenance and fellowship, reminds us that our spiritual lives are entirely dependent on God's faithful provision. This calls us to cultivate a posture of daily reliance on Him, seeking His "bread of life" for our spiritual nourishment and recognizing that true spiritual vitality comes only from Him. It also challenges us to consider how we, as living temples of the Holy Spirit, reflect God's order, holiness, and generosity in our own lives and communities, ensuring our worship and service are offered with intentionality, reverence, and a deep appreciation for His sustaining grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the Table of Shewbread in the Tabernacle?
Answer: The primary purpose of the Table of Shewbread was to hold the "bread of presence" (shewbread) perpetually before the Lord in the Holy Place. This symbolized God's constant, abiding presence among His people and His faithful, continuous provision for their physical and spiritual sustenance. It also represented the ongoing covenant relationship between God and the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying their communion with Him. The table and its bread were a tangible reminder of God's commitment to nourish and sustain His chosen people throughout their wilderness journey and beyond, establishing a pattern of divine-human fellowship, as detailed in Leviticus 24:5-9. Its portability, facilitated by the staves, also emphasized that God's presence was not confined to a single location but journeyed with His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Table of Shewbread and its perpetual "bread of presence" in the Old Testament Tabernacle find their ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the physical bread symbolized God's continuous provision for Israel, Jesus declared Himself to be the true "Bread of Life" in John 6:35, stating that whoever comes to Him will never hunger. He is not merely a symbol of sustenance but the very source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment for all who believe. The shewbread pointed to the intimate fellowship God desired with His people, a fellowship fully realized through Christ's atoning sacrifice, which broke down the barriers between God and humanity (Ephesians 2:13-14). Furthermore, the New Covenant communion, where believers partake of bread and wine in remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood, echoes and transcends the ancient practice, inviting us into a deeper and more personal participation in His life-giving presence (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Thus, the ancient table and its bread ultimately direct our gaze to Jesus, the living Bread who sustains us, enables our fellowship with God, and fulfills every spiritual need, offering Himself as the complete and final provision for humanity's deepest hunger.