Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 10.04.2017” on Spreaker.
Devotional thought 21 in our series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Another Sneak Peek
Here’s the question for consideration: What does it take to get some satisfaction?
“And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink” (Exodus 24:10–11).
How the Nobles Ate
One of the things I love about the Scriptures is that they provide an endless store of truth, and if we will patiently search them, the Holy Spirit will unpack more and more even from verses we have studied from different perspectives. Such is the case with today’s Scripture focus. You will note that we used it yesterday to underscore the blessing of God allowing His servants a glimpse of His presence, yet they were preserved. We saw that there was safety in His presence. From the same passage, we will see something just as wonderful.
I would love to cover the clear blue pavement under the feet of God that was an obvious manifestation of the waters that issue forth from the throne of God’s holy presence, but we will come back to that soon (Revelation 22:1; Ezekiel 47:1). Today, let’s focus on where these nobles were, in the grand scheme, and what they were doing.
You will note that in a previous reading we said God was giving us a sneak peek into the sanctuary blueprint before He handed the blueprint to Moses atop the mountain. I find it fascinating that Moses instructed a set of young men to offer burnt offerings at the base of the mountain. This signifies the priesthood facilitating and making various sacrifices in the outer court (more on this another time).
The nobles were among those who started up the mountain with Moses, but stopped at a certain point as Moses and the mystery man we alluded to some time ago continued to the top of the mountain. While the nobles awaited the return of Moses, the Bible says they did eat and drink. This seems like a pretty mundane, unremarkable activity, to be sure. However, if we have inspired lenses on, and are looking for hidden gems, we will note that the holy place in the sanctuary housed the table of shewbread, among other holy things. On this table were the special bread that was to be eaten only by the priests, and only on the Sabbath, and a few other articles.
The Holman Christian Standard Bible says, “You are also to make its plates and cups, as well as its pitchers and bowls for pouring drink offerings. Make them out of pure gold. Put the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times” (Exodus 25:29–30). Remember, everything in the earthly sanctuary represented a heavenly reality. While we don’t have record that I know of, of the priests consuming drinks in the holy place, the pitchers and bowls were there for the drink offerings to be poured out.
Here’s a lesson for you: “Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)” (John 6:35, AMP). So, not only was God giving us a glimpse of the holy place ministry of the priests and His power to sustain Moses in the cloud with Him for 40 days and nights without food, but He also revealed the blessing given to all who imbibe Christ in our day.
Jesus is the Bread of Life. He sustains all who continue in His presence to the degree that they will never hunger or thirst for anything needful. This is amazing! If you want to be satisfied, daily commune with Christ, eating His Words and cherishing them in His presence more than your necessary food (Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12; Deuteronomy 8:3).
