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Exodus 25:14,27
And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them…

Numbers 10:17
And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle.

Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

and overlay them with gold
Gold, a symbol of purity, divinity, and kingship, was used extensively in the tabernacle to reflect God's holiness and glory. The overlaying of gold on the acacia wood signifies the divine nature of Christ covering His humanity. This combination of materials illustrates the hypostatic union, the theological concept of Jesus being both fully God and fully man. Gold's presence in the tabernacle also foreshadows the heavenly sanctuary, where God's glory is fully revealed.

so that the table may be carried with them
The table referred to is the Table of Showbread, which held the bread of the Presence, symbolizing God's provision and fellowship with His people. The portability of the table, facilitated by the poles, underscores the transient nature of the Israelites' journey and God's continual presence with them. This mobility is a reminder of the Christian's pilgrimage on earth, carrying the presence of God within. The carrying of the table also prefigures the mission of the Church to bring the message of Christ, the Bread of Life, to the world.

• “Make the poles of acacia wood” (Exodus 25:28). The Lord specifies acacia, the same wood used for the Ark (Exodus 25:10) and the altar (Exodus 27:1).

– Acacia is dense, resistant to decay, and readily available in the Sinai region, showing God’s practical provision in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:15).

– Scripture repeatedly pairs acacia with holy objects, stressing durability and purity in service (Exodus 26:15; 37:15).

– Because the poles were handled by priests, the sturdy wood protected both people and the Table of the Bread of the Presence from damage.

– Spiritually, the incorruptible wood echoes Christ’s sinless humanity, the foundation for every aspect of our worship (Isaiah 53:2;Hebrews 4:15).

• Gold speaks of divine glory and worth. By covering common wood with precious metal, God pictures His own character: pure, radiant, surpassingly valuable (1 Kings 6:22;Revelation 1:13).

– Overlaying wood with gold echoes other pieces in the sanctuary (Exodus 25:11 for the Ark; 30:3 for the altar of incense). God’s consistent pattern shows every article must reflect His holiness and majesty.

– The blend of wood and gold foreshadows the union of Christ’s humanity (wood) and deity (gold), a truth celebrated throughout the New Testament (John 1:14;Colossians 2:9).

– In worship today, this combination challenges believers to pursue holiness, letting God’s glory cover our ordinary lives (Matthew 5:16;2 Corinthians 4:7).

• The poles’ purpose is clear: mobility. Israel was on the move, and the Table had to travel with the people (Exodus 40:4;Numbers 4:7–8).

– God’s presence is not confined to a single spot; He journeys with His covenant community (Deuteronomy 1:31;Joshua 3:3).

– Using poles kept human hands from touching the holy Table directly, upholding reverence and preventing judgment (cf.Numbers 4:15 with2 Samuel 6:6–7).

– The bread on the Table symbolized continual fellowship. As the Table moved, the reminder of God’s sustaining grace went with the nation (Leviticus 24:5–9;John 6:35).

– Believers today, called temples of the Holy Spirit, carry God’s presence wherever they go (1 Corinthians 6:19;Matthew 28:20).

Exodus 25:28 commands sturdy acacia poles overlaid with pure gold so the Table of the Bread of the Presence could travel safely with Israel. The materials highlight God’s blend of practicality and glory, point to Christ’s united humanity and deity, and demonstrate that the Lord’s fellowship is meant to accompany His people on every step of their journey.

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