The Types Unveiled, Chapter 19
CHAP 19. I now come to ſpeak of the Table for the Shew bread placed in the Tabernacle.
THis Table called the Shew-bread Table was placed by Moſes in one ſide of the tabernacle, Exod. 40. 22. The uſe of this Table was to hold the bread called the Shew-bread, this bread was made into little loaves or cakes, and ſet upon the Table, and they were in number twelve, which was proportionable to the number of their tribes. The bread was ſet in two Rows upon the Table, ſix on one ſide and ſix on the other ſide of the Table. The bread was ſet new on the Table every Sabbath day, and when the new was to be ſet on the Table, the Prieſts were to eat the old, as you may ſee in Lev. 24. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Now this bread was typical two ways, and both held out Chriſt to the people.
Firſt. It figured forth Chriſt one who conſtantly abideth under the eye of God for the people, or in the behalf of beliervers; for as the Shew-bread was always to ſtand on the Table before the Lord, therefore called the Shew-bread, ſo Jeſus Chriſt (who is called The bread of life, John 6. 35.) Is never off the Fathers ſight in the behalf of believers, in whoſe humane nature the Father was fully ſatisfied, and in whom he profeſſeth himſelf to be well-pleaſed with us, Mat. 3. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleaſed. Chriſt is always in readineſs to preſent his Father with the view of his Righteouſneſs on the Altar of his ſufferings, preſenting his Father with his nailed feet and hands, with his pierced ſides, with his hanging down head upon the Croſs, with his drops of blood in the Garden with the pourings forth of his ſoul unto death, that ſo the ſight of theſe things might endear believers to the heart of God.
Uſe 1.
It may be ſome ſoul may think that he is caſt out of the ſight of God, and out of the favour and love of God. O but thy Chriſt is not, and ſo long it is well enough. Remember and recover thy ſelf with theſe thoughts; Chriſt thy Shew-bread abideth in Gods eye for ever, Chriſt is alwayes ſtanding upon the Table of acceptation before God for thee: ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 9. 24. Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands, but into heaven it ſelf, there to appear in the preſence of God for us: And therefore ſoul, if thou haſt union with Chriſt, thou needeſt not doubt of thy condition; for if the Father do accept the head, certainly he cannot reject the members.
Again, whereas the Shew-bread was put into twelve loaves, according to the Tribes of Iſrael, as that there was not a loaf more or leſs: This teacheth us, that though the number of thoſe that ſhall lay hold on Chriſt (by real faith) be many, yea, very many; yet they need not doubt, here is bread enough for them all; here is a loaf for every Tribe, a piece for every Chriſtian. O Chriſt is an inexhauſtible treaſure, which will not be waſted; a fountain which cannot be drawn dry, a loaf that can never be eaten; Although there hath been many a thouſand that have been a feeding upon Chriſts Fleſh and Blood, throughout all generations of the world; yet our Lord writes himſelf ſtill, Heb. 13. 8. Jeſus Chriſt tke ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever.
Again, This Shew-bread ſignified the great bounty and goodneſs of God to the Iſraelites in their wilderneſs condition, in that he gave them to underſtand, that he could and would provide for them a table in a barren Land, where no corn was grown, that from thence they might be led the more to admire God in his power, love, and grace, manifeſted to them in that condition, and that their hearts might be raiſed up to a pitch of thankfulneſs: ſo likewiſe ſhould it teach Believers to make the ſame uſe of Gods bounty and goodneſs to them in the gift of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, that ſuch proviſion ſhould be made for them, that the Table of his grace and love ſhould be ſo deckt with the fleſh, blood, merits, and righteouſneſs of his own onelyonly Son, as you have it in the parable, Luke 14. 16, 17. A certain man made a great ſupper, and bid many, and ſent his ſervant at ſupper time, to ſay to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are ready. Thus you ſee a great ſupper is provided, much proviſion made, a table furniſhed, no want at all on Gods part, all the want lieth on our parts, we are not ready. O how ſhould this cauſe Chriſtians to admire God in his wonderful acts of grace to their ſouls, that as John ſpeaks, John 3. 16. He ſhould ſo love the world, as to ſend into it his onelyonly begotten Son, that whoſoever ſeeth him, and ſhall believe in him ſhall have everlasting life. And with 1 John 3. 1. To break forth into a holy admiration, and cry out, O what manner of love is this that we ſhould be called the Sons of God.