◄ Leviticus 24:8 ►
Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant.
Study Bible
Every Sabbath day
The Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is a day of rest and worship, rooted in the creation narrative where God rested on the seventh day. It is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17). The regularity of the Sabbath underscores the importance of consistent worship and remembrance of God's provision and holiness.

the bread is to be set out
This refers to the "showbread" or "bread of the Presence," which consisted of twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These loaves were placed on a table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's provision and the sustenance He provides. The act of setting out the bread is a ritual that signifies offering and dedication to God.

before the LORD
The bread is placed in the presence of God, indicating that it is a sacred offering. The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes the direct relationship and accountability to God. This setting in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, signifies God's dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:30).

on behalf of the Israelites
The bread is presented as a representative offering for the entire nation of Israel. This communal aspect highlights the unity of the people in their worship and covenant relationship with God. It serves as a reminder of their collective identity and responsibility as God's chosen people.

as a permanent covenant
The term "permanent covenant" indicates an everlasting agreement between God and Israel. This covenant is not only a legal contract but a relational bond, reflecting God's unchanging promises and faithfulness. The bread of the Presence is a continual reminder of this enduring relationship, pointing forward to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, who is the "bread of life" (John 6:35).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai. He is responsible for conveying God's commandments to the people.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He and his descendants are responsible for maintaining the tabernacle and performing the rituals prescribed by God.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites. It is the central place of worship and sacrifice during their journey in the wilderness.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving these laws and instructions as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

5. The Sabbath
A day of rest and worship, observed every seventh day, which is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Leviticus 24:8 emphasizes the need for strict adherence to God's commands. This teaches us the importance of obedience in our own spiritual lives.

The Role of Remembrance
The continual offering of the bread of the Presence serves as a reminder of God's provision and covenant. We are called to remember God's faithfulness in our lives.

Sabbath Observance
The connection to the Sabbath highlights the importance of rest and worship in our weekly routine, reminding us to prioritize our relationship with God.

Symbolism of Bread
The bread of the Presence symbolizes God's sustenance and presence. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," inviting us to find spiritual nourishment in Him.

Community and Worship
The communal aspect of the Israelites' worship practices encourages us to engage in corporate worship and fellowship as a vital part of our faith journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command in Leviticus 24:8 to set out the bread of the Presence every Sabbath relate to the concept of Sabbath rest in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we practice obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, as exemplified by the Israelites' adherence to the rituals in the Tabernacle?

3. How does the symbolism of the bread of the Presence in Leviticus 24:8 connect to Jesus' teaching about being the "bread of life" in the New Testament?

4. What role does remembrance play in your spiritual life, and how can you incorporate practices that help you remember God's faithfulness?

5. How can the communal worship practices of the Israelites inspire us to engage more deeply in our own church communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood, which are foundational to understanding the context of Leviticus 24:8.

Numbers 4
This chapter outlines the duties of the Levites in caring for the Tabernacle, including the handling of the bread of the Presence, which is directly related to the command in Leviticus 24:8.

Hebrews 9
This New Testament passage discusses the earthly sanctuary and its regulations, drawing a parallel to the heavenly sanctuary and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which fulfills the Old Testament rituals.
Sermons
Christ a Comforting PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence BreadF. H. WhiteLeviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the SanctuaryHenry, MatthewLeviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their MeaningJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and LifeA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its FurnitureJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of ChristJ. H. Holford, M. A.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His ChurchJohn Gill, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of FacesGeorge Junkin, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Bread of the PresenceJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 24:5-9
The Lesson of the LoavesW. Clarkson Leviticus 24:5-9
The ShewbreadR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:5-9
The Shewbread, or Bread of the PresenceR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:5-9
The Weekly OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 24:5-9
People
Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Age-during, Agreement, Arrange, Arrangeth, Behalf, Continually, Covenant, Everlasting, Israelites, Lasting, Offered, Order, Priest, Regularly, Sabbath, Sabbath-day, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 24:8

     7429   Sabbath, in OT

Leviticus 24:5-8

     4418   bread
     8629   worship, times

Library
The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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