“Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? But I say to you that a greater than the temple is here.” Matthew 12:6
Jeremiah described the Sabbath as a day no one should bear any burden or do any work. “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day.” & “Hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it.” Jer 17:21,24 And the Lord pointed out here how the priests broke the Law of Sabbath in the activities they performed in the temple, yet were guiltless. In the New Covenant the Sabbath is the representation of the time of Grace which we are in through Christ. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” Romans 5:1-2 Therefore we are in a perpetual state of Sabbath/Grace where NO work is permissible. “And if by grace, it is no longer from works.” Romans 11:6 However like the service the priests rendered on the Sabbath there are also corresponding pursuits we are to engage in which are not contrary to the working of Grace.
This being said, since we are speaking of activities the priests engaged on the Sabbath, it is IMPERATIVE to stress that we DO NOT make an offering of sacrifice for Sins anymore. To do so is to negate the work of Christ by deeming it to be insufficient. “But now He has been revealed once in the consummation of the ages for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:26 So since Sin is done away with once and for all in Christ, there is no more an offering for sin.
“Therefore brothers, having confidence for entering the holy place[s] by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He dedicated for us through the veil that is His flesh, and having a great priest over the house of God, we should draw near with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our body having been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22
Our Sabbath/life of Grace starts beyond the veil in the Holy place[s], which is a symbolic representation of the Spirit coming to dwell in us. [Romans 8:9] It is the fact that we have peace with God through Christ that affirms we have entered into His rest. “For the one having entered into His rest, he also rested from his works, as God did from [His] own.” Hebrews 4:10 Outside of the Holy place we find the bronze altar on which the priests offered sacrifices and next to it was the bronze laver which contained water where the priests washed their hands and feet. [Jp] Points out bronze is the representation of judgement. So the bronze altar represents the judgement the Lord Jesus Christ bore for us to wash our conscience from all evil. [Hebrews 9:14] And the bronze laver represents the judgement of death where we put off the body of Sin once and for all being buried with Him in baptism. [Romans 6:4] So we may enter the holy place[s] as ones having been made alive from the dead. [Romans 6:13] “Therefore we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 Therefore Sin and the Flesh are once and for all done away with OUTSIDE of the tabernacle.
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it BETWEEN the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it.” Exodus 30:18-19
Now when Paul says in Ephesians, “So that He might [sanctify her], having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word, so that He might present to Himself the church in glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any of the such things, but that it would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:26-27 The washing of the water by the word which Paul is referring to here is a subsequent event from the bronze laver. It is the service the Lord Himself performs to His bride, to those who are already sprinkled clean by His blood and whose body was buried [washed] by pure water so as to have entered into the Holy Place[s]. When the Lord washed the disciples’ feet, Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also the hands and the head.” [And] Jesus says to him, “The one having been bathed has no need to wash, except the feet, but is wholly clean. And you all are clean, but not all.” John 13:9-10 In this dialogue we see two forms of washing being represented, one is of salvation [bath] the other is of sanctification [feet].
When Peter asked for his feet, hands and head to be washed, he was making references to what the priests do at the bronze laver. But the Lord responds with “one having been bathed has no need to wash.” That is, he has already passed from death to life and the Lord points him to the action, which He Himself was in the process of doing. The washing of feet which symbolises our walk in the Lord, is in relation to our sanctification. So when Paul says, “He might SANCTIFY her, having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word.” He is not speaking of the washing [bath] that cleanses us from the evil conscience and of the judgement of death, but the cleansing effect of the word that nourishes and sanctifies our walk. While the bronze laver is a representation of the act of sealing the old man in burial which we ourselves willingly partake in.“Although indeed Jesus Himself was not baptising, but His disciples.” John 4:2
“For a tabernacle was prepared, the first room in which were both the lampstand and the table, and the bread of the presentation, which is called the Holy Place. Now behind the second veil was a tabernacle, being called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, having been covered around in every part with gold.” Hebrews 9:2-4
As stated above it is in the Holy Place[s] where our service to God begins. Therefore we will look at the various activities which the priests performed inside the tabernacle on the Sabbath, which are types and shadows and we will see how it relates to us in the New Covenant. Now in the Holy Place[s] there are several items on which the priests performed their duties. And each item is made of either pure gold or a mixture of gold and Acacia wood. [Jp] teaches that gold is used to depict Divinity while Acacia wood is used to depict humanity. Acacia wood was used specifically because it suffers the least amount of corruption, as such it is used to represent the Lord Jesus Christ’s perfect and sinless body. So every element in the Holy place that incorporates both Gold and Acacia wood is the representation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lampstand: “He also made the lampstand of pure gold.” Exodus 37:17 on which the seven lamps constantly burned. Pure gold meaning only God [the Holy Spirit] is depicted. John explaining his vision says, “And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” Revelation 4:4 And Isaiah describing the seven Spirit of God says, “The Spirit of the Lord [The Lampstand] shall rest upon Him [Jesus Christ], [the Branches]: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2 So when Paul writes in Ephesians saying, “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes your of heart being enlightened.” Ephesians 1:17-18 He is actually referring to the branch of “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,” through whom we are able to know the truth of God.
“Aaron and his sons were tasked with ensuring the lampstand is continually burning . “Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually. Outside the veil of the Testimony, in the tabernacle of meeting, Aaron shall be in charge of it from evening until morning before the Lord continually.” Leviticus 24:2-3
Now it is taught that inside the Holy place there is no natural light, and it is only through the light of the Lampstand that illuminates the Holy place the priests were able to see to perform their duties. So the first task the priest would have performed in the Holy place[s] is to light the Lampstand. This is the main point, it is only through the light and presence of the Holy Spirit we are able to perform all other activities. So Paul admonishes Timothy to be diligent in this very aspect saying, “For this reason I remind you to kindle anew the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6 To kindle is to set alight, and the only gift of the Holy Spirit which we ourselves are able to initiate is the gift of tongues. It is as we keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning we are able to see clearly to understand. [Jp] teaches as we pray in the Spirit we are also able to ignite all other gifts of the Holy Spirit.
So it is also in this regard Paul warns us saying, “Rejoice always. Pray unceasingly. Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God toward you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 The point we want to make here is that just as it is possible to kindle the Spirit it is also possible to quench Him. Though what might cause that is not made very clear, however since Paul admonished Timothy to be careful to “kindle anew the gift of God,” we can also deduct the quenching must be the result of our neglect to fan into flame by ceasing in our privilege to pray in the Spirit. The significance for us is that so we may know we ourselves are responsible to cultivate and maintain our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
The Table of Showbread: “He made the table of acacia wood.” & “He overlaid it with pure gold.” Exodus 37:10,11 Here we have Lord Jesus Christ represented as the incorruptible Word of God. And it is on this table the twelve showbreads are presented fresh every Sabbath, representing the Scriptures that came through the twelve tribes of Israel. [Leviticus 24:8] Paul in Romans wrote, “For chiefly indeed, that they [Israel] were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Romans 3:1 That is to say the Scriptures were given to the world through Israel. And of the Scripture Paul writes, “Every Scripture is God-breathed.” 2 Timothy 3:16 And Peter also writes, “For no prophecy at any time was brought by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being carried by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21 That is, the Scriptures are a product of God working through mankind.
Another point that signify that the showbreads are the representation of the word of God is what the Lord Himself said in regards them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those with him— how he entered into the house of God, and they ate the loaves of the presentation, which it was not lawful for him nor for those with him to eat, but only for the priests?” Matthew 12:3-4 King David is a type representation of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an analogy of how the Lord took the word and gave it to His disciples to feed on by bringing out from the Scriptures the things that concern Him. [Luke 24:44-45] And the Lord said, “I am the bread of life.” John 6:48
“You are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as now it has been revealed in the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.” Ephesians 3:4-5
While all other activities in the Holy Place were performed daily the presentation of the showbread was done only on the Sabbath. [Leviticus 24:5-9] This has significance for us because it speaks of how God has ordained a means by which the rich nourishing effect of His word is to be brought out. The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has set over his household, to give to them the food in season?” Matthew 24:45 So God has prepared shepherds to watch over His flock through whom the nourishing effect of the word is made plateble to us. [Acts 20:28]
“And having begun from Moses and from all the Prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:27
Here we see the Lord’s own example of bringing out the nourishing effect of the word. It is through the revealed knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are nourished, sanctified, edified and even corrected. Paul said, “What will I profit you, unless I should speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?” 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, our new man is TOTALLY dependent on what we come to know and understand of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Ephesians 4:13] The Lord said, “But when He the, Spirit of truth, shall come, He will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify Me, for He will take from that which is Mine and will disclose it to you.” John 16:13,14 In the temple the priests ate the showbread in the presence of the light of the lampstand. That is we come to possess our inheritance in Christ as the Spirit teaches and enlightens our heart in the knowledge of the Lord. “We received the Spirit that is from God that we may know the things FREELY given to us by God.” 1 Corinthains 2:12
So the Holy Spirit reveals these Divine truths to His appointed ministers and they in turn present them to those whom they have charge over. AND the Holy Spirit bears witness to the effect of the truth of the word which we NOW have come to understand so as to experience the nourishing and sanctifying effect of the word. “And we all having been unveiled in face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, [are being transformed into the same image,] from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 To behold the glory of the Lord, “as in a mirror” is to have revelation knowledge of the Lord in the Scriptures and to reckon it to be also true of us. So Grace might be brought to us so that we might be transformed into the very same image, of the glory of the Lord we have come to see and know. “Therefore having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober-minded, set your hope FULLY upon the grace being BROUGHT to you IN the REVELATION of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13
The point is there is a system the Lord has set. He does not necessarily reveal the same thing over and over to each and everyone of us. The interdependence of the church is manifested as we partake from one another to come to the full knowledge of the Lord. [Ephesians 4:16] God would prefer to purposely lead us to teachings He has revealed to another rather than reveal the same truth independently to us. The Lord said of the Holy Spirit, “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
“That they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18
The Incense Altar: “He made the incense altar of acacia wood.” & “And he overlaid it with pure gold.” Exodus 37:25,26 Again we see here the Lord Jesus Christ being represented. Incense is a representation of the prayer of the saints that rises before God. [Revelation 8:3-4] The significance of the altar of Acacia wood & Gold is to represent ONLY the praise, worship and prayer that are offered to God through the Lord Jesus Christ are acceptable to God. The Lord said, “He who is not honouring the Son is not honouring the Father.” John 5:23 [&] “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 And the definitive statement is, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, if not by Me.” John 14:6
“Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.” Exodus 30:7-8
Here we see how when the priest tended to the lamps he also at the same time made an offering of incense. This ties these two activities as one for us, the significance of which is we ought to regularly pray in the Spirit, morning and evening. Which Paul encourages us to do, saying, “pray without ceasing” [&] “through all prayer and supplication, praying in the Spirit in every season.” Ephesians 6:18 And Jude also says, “You, beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God.” Jude 1:20-21 Speaking in tongues is the ultimate act of faith and trust. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 [Jp] teaches how these verses are referring to the benefit of praying in the Spirit. Which Ezekiel attributes the fruit for food and the leaf for medicine. [Ezekiel 47:12] That is through the exercise of this spiritual gift we are able to bring forth wisdom to benefit others. [1 Corinthians 14:19] While we ourselves are built up to be steadfast, young and healthy, “whose leaf also shall not wither.”
“Through Him [Jesus Christ] then, we should offer the sacrifice of praise continually, everything to God, that is, the fruit of the lips confessing His name.” Hebrews 13:15
Worship is also a sweet smelling fragrance that rises before God which we are to offer in the light and presence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord said to the Samaritan woman, “But an hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father also seeks such who worship Him.” John 4:23 The Lord in saying “now is” He distinguished the worship that was offered before [under Law] to the worship that is to be offered from this point forward [in the Spirit]. New covenant worshipers, which the Lord called “true worshipers,” are those who are born of God in whom the Spirit of God dwells; as such they offer worship to God through the supply of His Spirit in them in recognition of His Grace. So when the Lord said, “in Spirit and truth.” The Lord was actually referring to “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord” which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself translated to mean “the worship of God” from [Deuteronomy 6:13] saying, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.” Matthew 4:10
“Instead be filled with the Spirit, speaking to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks at all times for all things in the name our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father.” Ephesians 5:18-20
Finally Paul here tells us to be filled with the Spirit and at first glance it might seem to us that the subsequent list that follows are the means by which we can do that. However they are not the means but the result. Paul wrote to Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with grace in your hearts to God. And all, whatever you might do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16-17 The Ephesians and Colossians statements are more or less identical with one exception in one he says, “be filled with the Spirit” and the other he says, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Paul made knowledge of His grace and being filled with the Spirit synonyms.
Grace is the free working of the Spirit of God, so in essence the more our hearts are established in the finished works of Christ [the word of Christ] the more of His Spirit we have in us. “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Paul makes a similar point in Romans 6:14 and Galatians 5:18 where Grace and the Spirit are interchangeably represented. So the knowledge of His Grace and the working of His Spirit in us are a complementary avalanche that builds upon glory to glory. However we need to be careful not to confuse the gifts of the Spirit and being filled with His Spirit. Being filled with His Spirit does not necessarily mean the manifestation of gifts of the Holy Spirit. However it will mean in our walk of life we become overcomers, we reign in life not being enslaved to the various elements that seem to rule over the world.
“Now those of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, we should also walk by the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:24-25
Bread Bait. 
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