Chapter 8 The Purpose

CHAPTER 8

THE PURPOSE And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Touching on our covenant relationship with God in the last chapter, introduced “The Purpose” of Romans 8:28 and the revelation of another mystery of the Holy Spirit as He makes intercession for us. Understanding “Purpose” would be impossible without first seeing how Romans 8:28 relates to the covenant in which we live as Bible Believers.

ACCORDING DEFINED

The word “according” found in our text – “According to His purpose” – is found over three hundred times throughout the New Testament. It is used twenty-nine different ways by the King James translators: (After, against, toward, touching, into, among, over, particularly, and respect), to name a few. Any of these words could easily substitute and be quite functional. I prefer: “to them who are the called into His purpose” because of, as we will see shortly, its relationship to prayer. A simple interpretation of “according” would be: (to them who are the called in agreement’ or “those in harmony with His purpose). We who are the called are those living in agreement/harmony with His purpose – will, and it is thus for which the Holy Spirit makes intercession.

PURPOSE DEFINED

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, uses a rather unique Greek word for “purpose” in Romans 8:28. It is the word for “shewbread” or “showbread.” This particular Greek word is translated eleven times in the New Testament. Eight times it is rendered “purpose,” and the remaining three as “showbread.” Before looking at some of the passages where this word is used, it would be wise to have a clear understanding of just exactly what “showbread” was and how it was used.

THE TABERNACLE

The tabernacle was a mobile house of worship. God gave complete instructions to Moses with exact measurements, implement and furniture construction, and how the priests were to conduct themselves in and around the tabernacle (Exod. 25-Exod. 40). The tabernacle was compartmentalized into three areas of worship; each serving a different ceremonial function. The otter court was for the offering of public sacrifices by the ministering priests for Israel. A laver for washing was also located in this outer court which the priests employed before entering the Holy Place (Exod. 40:7).

The inner court, called the Holy Place, housed three pieces of golden furniture. The candlestick, a seven bowl candelabra fueled with oil, was made of pure gold and was tended twice daily to insure it burned continuously (Exod. 25:31-39). The altar of incense also was placed in the inner room of the tabernacle and was located directly in front of the ark of the covenant; separated by the thick vail (Exod. 40:5). It was made of wood and covered with gold but was smaller in dimensions than the showbread table (Exod. 30:1-10). I will return to the table of showbread which also sat in this inner court momentarily. The ark of the covenant, referred to as the “mercy seat,” was behind the vail (Exod. 40:2-3), and was likewise made of wood overlaid with gold (Exod. 25:10-22). It was the only article of furniture which was placed in the “Most Holy Place” (Exod. 40:2-3), and this area was entered by the high priest only once each year to atone for the sins of the nation of Israel.

Many compare these three compartments – areas of worship – to the body, soul, and spirit of the boron again Believer (I Thess. 5:23). The outer court is the body; the place where we meet publicly and interface with the world. The outer court – the body – is where we confess our covenant with God and make known His mighty works through our praise.

The inner court – the Holy Place – is the soul and the place where we meet with God mentally and intellectually. It is within this inner court we fellowship with Him; offering our prayers of sweet smelling incense and sharing intimately with the help of the Holy Spirit who illuminates our prayers with His perfect nature as God. It is here we commune with our sovereign Lord.

Finally there is the “Most Holy Place.” This is where God resides. He holds the covenant and His word thus comes from this Holy of Holies. Keep in mind that the tablets which were given to Moses by God, upon which the ten commandments were written, were stored within the ark of the covenant; the mercy seat. No man passed beyond the vail to the hidden place of worship except for the high priest and then only once a year. Our Lord Christ, however, by His vicarious death upon the cross and subsequent bodily resurrection, caused the vail to be rent (Matt. 27:51), from top to bottom; exposing the Most Holy Place for all eternity for those confessing Him as Lord.

TABLE OF SHOWBREAD

The table of showbread was a simple box made of shittim wood and over laid with gold. It measured thirty-six inches in length, eighteen inches in width, and twenty-seven inches in height (Exod. 25:23). Additionally, a “crown” of gold bordered the top of the box, about nine inches in height; the breath of a man’s hand, to prevent the bread from falling from the table (Exod. 25:24-25). The bread was to be before the Lord always and was replaced each sabbath (Exod. 25:30). It was baked with fine flower, placed in two rows upon the table, and was eaten by the levitical priests as they ministered in the Holy Place (Lev. 24:6-9).

SYMBOLISM

The entire tabernacle was symbolic of that which was to come – Christ. The woods overlaid with gold represented the Holiness and deity of Christ who took upon Himself humanity. The altar of incense spoke of the prayers of God’s people. The candlestick with its seven lights symbolized the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit as those prayers were offered. The mercy seat, of course, depicted God the Father who reigns as Sovereign Lord. The tablets of stone within the mercy seat represented God’s eternal unbreakable Word. The blood of the sacrifices represented the blood of the Lamb of God which would be shed for the sins of the world. The clothing of the priests, the different sacrificial offerings, the precious gyms, and even the various colors; gold, silver, purple, scarlet, white, red, blue, employed in construction all spoke of various aspects of the nature and character of God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit in relationship to man.

The table of showbread was unique in its representation. In Leviticus, it is called the “bread of God,” and those who were in Levitical servitude were known as those who handled God’s bread. Bread spoke of that which was common and necessary without which man could not live. The “breaking of bread” spoke of friendship, fellowship, intimacy, and most importantly; covenant. The showbread was to be perpetually before the Lord; an act of continuous fellowship with the Heavenly Father. The priests, however, were the only ones allowed such direct and intimate fellowship for they were the chosen representatives to negotiate covenant with God.

One day Satan tempted our Lord by trying to get Him to turn stones into bread. King Jesus confessed, however, “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). He later succeeded in, not only confounding, but angering the Jews, when he confessed “He was the bread of God which came down from Heaven” (John 6:32-33). The Jews recognized immediately His claim and, of course, reacted adversely. Our Lord was confessing Himself to be God’s fellowship with man; that which was to be eaten, enjoyed, and would provide eternal provision. Indeed, Jesus said exactly that: “I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). In short, Jesus proclaimed to be God’s bread; the showbread, which was perpetually before the Lord that man might fellowship with God. If we add to this our Lord’s finished work upon the cross, His shed blood, the offering of His own body, His sinless life, the renting of the vail in the temple revealing God to the world, and His bodily resurrection, we would thus gain a deep appreciation of Paul’s usage of the word “showbread” in Romans 8:28.

ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION

Paul was taken by ship to Rome to appear before Caesar. Acts 27 describes his aquatic journey and subsequent ship wreck. The word “purpose” appears in Luke’s account of this journey: And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete (Acts 27:13).

This is a most unusual usage of the word “showbread” but if considered carefully, the choice of wording is inspiring. The sailors had supposed they had gained favorable wind because the winds blew softly. This time of year in this ocean region was often violent and unpredictable. Paul even warned them not to sail but they ignored his Holy Spirit leading; sailing right into a violent storm, and lost, not only all their valuable cargo, but the ship as well.

A word which could be properly substituted for “purpose/showbread” in this text is approval or favor. “Supposing that they had obtained approval…” Their assumption was based upon soft winds which later proved nearly fatal. They, in fact, had actually obtained “approval,” or “favor;” not to depart, but rather to stay, as Paul prophesied. They chose to ignore the Word of God, and consequently suffered great loss.

In writing to Pastor Timothy, Paul said: But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life – conduct – purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions (II Tim. 3:10-11).

Here we discover Paul’s usage of “purpose” in context with what he is clearly describing as his personal character. If the preceding nine verses are examined, it is easily seen that Paul was warning Christians of those who will come against the church in the last days and the deceptive “character” they will manifest. He even named “Jannes” and “Jambres” as two who withstood Moses as he attempted to govern the nation of Israel (II Tim. 3:8). To all such, Paul contrasted his Scriptural and personal character and used “purpose/showbread” to demonstrate the polarization of characters; his verses the world’s.

Finally, Paul again uses the word “purpose” in a remarkably similar verse to Romans 8:28 in this same epistle to Timothy: Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (II Tim. 1:9).

This clearly identifies the interpretation of “purpose” because Paul is making direct reference to the “nature” of God. Indeed, it could thus be rendered: “according to the nature and grace of God.” Since Paul is making reference to the saving power of God the Father through His eternal Son Jesus, there can be no doubt to Paul’s usage of “purpose” as that aspect of God’s nature which saves to the uttermost.

ACCORDING TO PURPOSE

The word “His” in Romans 8:28 was supplied by the King James translators for clarification and appears in italics. This was a wise choice, since we have just seen that Paul again makes a similar statement in his letter to Timothy. It is indeed God’s “purpose,” or “approval,” or “character,” or “nature” to work all things together for good to them that are in love covenant with Him. In short, it is God’s favor and grace by which He makes Himself available to us and He does so through prayer. Comparing this with the knowledge that the showbread was that which was perpetually before the Lord, representative of eternal fellowship, we should now be able to acknowledge the ministry of Holy partnership with God’s Spirit as we sit and sup with Him through prayer. Let’s take another step in examining the “nature” – true character – of His “purpose/showbread.”

CONTACT

Quite simply, the table of showbread was a point of perpetual contact with God for the ministering priests. It was at this table they meant with the Almighty and shared the covenant meal each and every time they ate. As they reached out to partake of the “Bread of God,” they were making personal contact with Him in behalf of all of Israel. Additionally, the table was only twenty-seven inches high; necessitating a kneeling posture. Such humility and reverence when one prays certainly demonstrates reverence.

We, too, need to maintain personal contact with our Heavenly Father through intimate prayer. Often the busy Christian forsakes time with the Lord and thus the relationship suffers. We need always to make contact through prayer and partnership with the Holy Spirit makes this possible.

COMMUNION

The table of showbread is the Old Testament counterpart of New Testament communion, I.E. The Lord’s table. It is symbolic of the shed blood – the wine or grape juice – and the bread – His body. Our Lord established this communion, of course, before going to the cross and commanded it be practiced until He returns. It speaks of intimacy, as did the table of showbread, only now the born again Believer needs no representation to stand before God in his behalf; Jesus is that High Priest.

We have three zones, areas, of personal communication. First there is the social zone; the radius of several feet. This zone is passive contact with those about us with which we may pass, for example, on the street. The second zone is personal. We experience this zone when discoursing, whether standing or sitting, with someone in close proximity. Finally there is the intimate zone; one of personal contact. This is the fellowship which we share with our Heavenly Father at the table of showbread – the table of communion.

The dictionary defines “to commune” as: (The sharing of mutual interests, thoughts, and possessions). Such certainly falls into the area of exchange when cutting, confirming, and completing covenant. The communion table we share with our Lord in today’s New Testament day is representative of the covenant meal we share when we pray.

CONFER

As we have already seen in this study, the two words “makes intercession” is used twice by Paul in Romans 8:26 and (27). In verse (26), it simply means the Holy Spirit makes, or creates, prayers for us. He does so, not only because we do not always know how to pray, but because it is His nature. The second reference to “makes intercession” in verse (27) is rendered (to confer). Again referring to a dictionary definition, we find “to confer” means: (to converse, to compare views, to consult). Such is our fellowship with God as we pray. Most have little, if any, problem accepting prayer as conversing with God. We likewise accept prayer as spiritual consultation. Most, however, find it impossible to believe that prayer involves (comparing views, sharing interests, or the exchange of views). If you believe that God is only interested in telling, commanding, proclaiming, chastising, or reprimanding; you will find spiritual intimacy absolutely impossible. God is interested in His own and prayer – sitting at the table of showbread – and having covenant communion with Him, involves exchanging our thoughts for His.

CONFORMITY

When the priests shared the covenant showbread in the inner court; the Holy Place, they, as an act of submission and humility, were conforming to the will of God. If they did not do so, they would not be fulfilling their responsibilities as ministering mediators for the children of Israel. It is not accidental that Paul makes reference to the “will of God” in Romans 8:27: “because the Holy Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” He, the Holy Spirit, brings us by partnership utilization, to the table of prayer that we might conform to the will – covenant – of God.

“To what are we conforming?” Besides conforming to God’s will, we are, as we will see in our next chapter, conforming to the image of His Son Jesus. This conformity is accomplished by sharing fellowship with God through prayer. Again, the Holy Spirit is our “Help” to cause such intimacy to occur.

CONFIRMATION

The table of showbread was also a “confirmation” table. The ministering priests took the bread of God and consumed it as an act of confirming the covenant. This simple act of faithfulness demonstrated personal belief and recognition of God. Not to partake would indicate a lack of faith that God indeed desired intimacy with His own people.

Another aspect of the showbread and its consumption, reveals God’s desire to be “friends” with His own. Here we need to recall the covenant which God made with Abraham. As God the Father made covenant with Abraham, He promised him a son. This, of course, was impossible, humanly speaking, since both Abraham and Sarah were beyond child baring years. Nevertheless, the Scriptures confirm that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6 & Rom. 4:3). We, likewise, are incapable of spiritual birth without sovereign intervention (John 3:3-8). The Father also provided us with a “Son” – His only begotten Son – in order that His covenant might be confirmed. Because of Abraham’s belief and acceptance of covenant with God, he became known as the “friend of God” (Jam. 2:23). Eating at the table of showbread confirms friendship with our Heavenly Father as well as our belief in Him as our covenant Lord.

COMMITMENT

The levitical priests were committed to serving both God and Israel as mediators. They demonstrated their commitment by lighting the lamps, replacing and eating the showbread, burning the incense, and offering sacrifice. Commitment is first verbal; then verified by action. In short, faithfulness. Coming to the table of prayer – showbread – today shows our faithfulness to God as the one who keeps His covenant with His people. Without commitment, there can be no covenant relationship. Without the priests coming faithfully to the table of showbread set continually before the Lord, God would be unable to move in their behalf.

SUMMATION

My Dad’s oldest brother was born in 1901 and lived with us the last few years of his life. Since my grandfather – my Dad and uncle’s father – died when my uncle was but a teen, he, my uncle, felt obligated to drop from school in order to take on the responsibility of tending their Kansas farm and raising the family. Such afforded him great opportunity for learning and he quickly became a jack of all trades.

I recall he told me, after retiring, that he installed a fence around most of his single acre of property. He simply sighted on an object in the distance and from that point of reference, began sinking fence posts. Such line of sight skill had been obtained from plowing fields with nothing more than a distant tree for reference.

Following the installation of his fence, a young neighbor began admiring the improved attractiveness my uncle’s fence gave his home and decided to do the same. He purchased all the necessary materials and began sinking fence posts. His lack of experience, however, provided a fence uneven, lop sided, and crooked. After recognizing failure, and seeing my uncle seated on his front porch, he strolled across the road and congratulated my uncle for doing such a nice job on his fence. He finally, somewhat sheepishly, asked if my uncle would mind helping him redo his fence since, he, the neighbor, had done such a poor job. My uncle, of course, obliged.

The Christian needs a point of reference, a point of contact, in their relationship with God. The table of showbread – prayer – is the contact. Like my uncle sighting on a tree in the distance, we, too, sight on a tree – the cross of Calvary. Often, however, circumstances make it difficult, even impossible to sight properly. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, never has any problem sighting – making contact – with the Heavenly Father. Simply beginning to pray allows the Holy Spirit to engage covenant with God in our behalf.

Prayer is where, and when, we experience spiritual intimacy with our Lord as we share the covenant meal. I am convinced that most of us do not take time to share, commune, with our Lord because it means “intimacy.” Such requires time, personal association, closeness, and friendship. Intimacy implies that which is private and innermost. Although most confess that such is exactly what they seek in their relationship with God, it cannot be so; for if it were, they would commune with God. The problem is fear! We simply are afraid that God is going to find something within us which He does not like. The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide and parallel our intimacy with God but He cannot do so, of course, unless we begin to commune – eat the showbread – with God. Fear is not of God and should be ignored. Once seated at the prayer table, the Holy Spirit can immediately begin to intercede in our behalf.

As my uncle’s neighbor needed help, so we, those in fellowship with God, need someone to help; “for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” The Holy Spirit offer such help as we sit at the communion table with our Lord and confers with Him concerning His will for our lives. Confess how you feel it, see it, perceive it, wish it. As you do so, you will discover the mystery of the Holy Spirit at work in your behalf as He “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Then listen.

Often we think we can do it alone, without assistance, because to do otherwise is a sign of weakness. Such is the case as we kneel at the table of showbread. It is a sign of humility, submission, and dependency. Such an attitude is exactly what our Lord is seeking as we sup with Him. To place ourselves in such a position is a sign of conformity to His will and Word. In short, it is obedience. There is a side benefit to such submission; we are able to thus resist the Devil, and he must flee from our presence (Jam. 4:7-8).

As my uncle’s neighbor confessed his inability to duplicate my uncle’s fence installation, he was also asking, and showing, friendship. Literally, he was showing willingness to confirm what he could not do alone and because of friendship with my uncle, he requested help. Thus, sitting down to a covenant meal of showbread with God our Father is confirmation of personal friendship with the only one able to help us. It means we are willing to live by covenant.

Finally, the fence itself demonstrates commitment; It sets boundaries. This is exactly what prayer does for us. We begin, through prayer, to set boundaries in our relationship with God for the purpose of keeping certain things in and out. This provides security as well as offering permission for God to begin working in our life. In another words, it allows God an area in which to work. Without such commitment, the Sower simply must go everywhere broadcasting the seed with no prier soil preparation. Prayer affords God opportunity to prepare the ground for planting.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Romans 8:28 is certainly a mystery if interpreted without the knowledge of the table of showbread. If, on the other hand, we acknowledge the holy partnership we have with God’s Holy Spirit when we set at bread, then we can “know that all things work together” for our benefit, since we are the “called” of God. Furthermore, seated at the table of showbread with our Lord reveals covenant friendship; we are those that “love God” – have established friendship through covenant. The Holy Spirit confirms this relationship each time we sup with our Heavenly Father in covenant prayer (Rom. 8:16-17). True satisfaction can be gained when we pray, therefore, because the Holy Spirit insures our prayers harmonize with His purpose – showbread – which nourishes and fills us that we might never hunger again. One must choose to sit and dine with Him, however, if intimate fellowship is to be experienced. Thus, learn to pray in the Spirit.

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