Bible Pathways 01/27/05
January 27
Read Exodus 29 - 31
In Today's Reading:
The rules and sacrifices for the priests; continual burned offering; Altar of Incense; the ransom of souls; the holy anointing oil; Sabbath regulations; Moses receives two tablets of stone
The priests, who ministered in the Tabernacle, had to be cleansed before entering. The LORD spoke to Moses . . . make a Laver (tub) of Brass, and its foot also of brass . . . put it between the Tabernacle . . . and the Altar, and . . . put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat (Exodus 30:17-19). After a priest had washed his hands and feet at the Laver, which provided cleansing from the activities of life, he then was qualified to enter the Tabernacle through a heavy linen veil which was the only entrance into the Holy Place.
On the right was the Table of Showbread with its 12 loaves of unleavened bread sprinkled with incense. The name Showbread suggests more than just bodily nourishment. It implies spiritual insight that is not obtainable anywhere else. The Showbread is symbolic of Christ, who said: I am that Bread of Life. . . . the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever (John 6:48,51; 6:29-38; 12:24). Just as physical food is assimilated to sustain our physical lives, so too, as we continue to "read" the Word of God which is the Bread of Life, the Holy Spirit enlightens and then transforms our lives. Laying aside all malice and all guile (deceit), and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere (unadulterated, pure) milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby (I Peter 2:1-2).
On the left was the seven-branched Candlestick made of solid, beaten gold Its seven lamps burned with pure olive oil. It provided the only source of light in the Holy Place (Leviticus 24:2-4).
God has provided just one book - the Holy Bible - as the source of light for understanding His will. It is written: Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. . . . The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:105,130; also Proverbs 6:23).
Christ said: I am the Light of the World: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life (John 8:12).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Laver, Christ is revealed as both the container and the dispenser of Living Water (Exodus 30:18; John 4:10). Jesus . . . cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink. . . . you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you (John 7:37, 15:3; compare I Corinthians 10:4).
Word Studies:
29:22 caul = fatty appendage on the liver; 29:24 wave them = present with a waving motion; 29:39 even = twilight; 30:25 apothecary = perfumer.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Kenneth Roy Roberts III · Government Officials: Rep. John Mica (FL) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO) · Country: Japan (126 million) off the eastern coast of Asia · Major language: Japanese · Religious freedom · 57% Buddhist; 27% Shintoist and other Eastern religions; 3% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice in the Lord, for He is forgiving to those who call upon Him (Psalm 86:4-5).
Optional Reading: Matthew 27
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 5:24
