We are still examining what was called the showbread or the bread of the presence for purpose clues to apply to our lives:
Take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. Set them in two rows, six in each row, on the table of pure gold before the Lord. Along each row put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be an offering made to the Lord by fire. This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their regular share of the offerings made to the Lord by fire" (Leviticus 24:5-9).
Let's add to the things we've learned in the last few studies:
10. The bread was for all the Israelites. When you find your purpose, it encourages others to find theirs. My purpose is like a down payment to you. If I can find mine, you can find yours and vice versa. Also, purpose is best expressed through service to others which is another community benefit from someone's purpose. The bread of the presence, or the bread of purpose as it is referred to in this study, is there to nourish you in your service to and for God.
11. The bread belonged to Aaron and his sons. In this gospel age, we are all priests unto the Lord. There is no family of priests who inherit the role through their bloodline. Purpose isn't just for one generation or something special that only happens at certain points in history, but rather it's for every generation. Each person in a family, business, or church must work to know their purpose and to know the purpose of others.
12. The bread was replaced and eaten every Sabbath. It isn’t enough to talk about purpose. If you are to live by it, you must digest it. Your purpose must become part and parcel with who you are. In eating it, there is nourishment and refreshing, things the Sabbath was to give people an opportunity to access. Purpose always gives more than it takes in the way of energy and grace.
The bread of the presence was in the tabernacle where God's presence was made manifest. Life purpose is most meaningful in the same context. Purpose can never be more important than the Lord; it is the practice that sustains and gives meaning to His presence. Is your purpose nourishing you and your family? Do you know the purpose of those closest to you? What are you doing to encourage them in their purpose? Are you keeping your priorities straight in that you serve the Lord and through Him you serve your purpose?
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