Exodus 25:28
And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exodus 25:28 (KJV)
Context
This verse is part of God’s detailed instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God dwelt among Israel during their wilderness journey. Here God commands the making of staves, or poles, for the table of showbread, also called the Table of Presence. The table itself was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:23-24). The staves were to be inserted into rings on the table’s sides (Exodus 25:26-27) so that the Levites could carry it without touching it directly.
Meaning
The staves were made of shittim wood, the same acacia wood as the table, and then overlaid with gold. Acacia wood was durable and resistant to decay, well suited for travel. The gold overlay matched the table’s own covering and signified the sacredness of the object. The practical purpose was clear: the table could be moved whenever the camp traveled. Unlike the staves for the Ark of the Covenant, which remained in their rings, the table’s staves were removed after carrying, so they would not obstruct the priests who attended the table each week.
Biblical connections
The command was fulfilled exactly by Bezalel, as recorded in Exodus 37:28. The same materials, acacia wood and gold, were used for other Tabernacle furnishings, such as the altar of incense (Exodus 30:5) and the Ark (Exodus 25:13). This consistency shows that God required order and reverence in every detail of worship. The table held the bread of the Presence, and Jesus later called Himself the Bread of Life (John 6:35). The table’s portability reminds us that God’s presence was not fixed to one place but accompanied His people wherever they went.
Application
The staves teach us that we are on a spiritual journey in this world. Just as Israel had to be ready to move when God led, we should be ready to follow His leading and adapt in our service to Him. The gold overlay reminds us to approach God’s presence with reverence and to offer our best in worship. The care taken to carry the table without touching it directly shows that sacred things must be handled with respect. This principle applies to how we treat worship, Scripture, and the fellowship of believers.
Mobility and journey: believers are pilgrims who must be ready to move with God.
Presence of God: His presence accompanies His people, foreshadowing the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Beauty of holiness: the gold overlay emphasizes reverence and offering our best.
Christological connection: the table points to Jesus, the Bread of Life, who gives spiritual sustenance.
Reflection
God’s instructions were precise, and He expected them to be followed exactly. The staves were not an afterthought but a necessary part of the table’s design. This teaches us that even the practical details of our service matter to God. When we serve Him, we can trust that His ways are good and that He equips us for the journey. The table, carried through the wilderness, reminds us that God is with us in every stage of life, and He provides for our needs along the way.
