Christ in all the scriptures
The necessity of cleansing Exodus 30v17-21; 38v8; 40v30-32
The words of Jesus to Peter in the upper room come ringing through the centuries "If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me"-John 13v8. We can return to this later, but in the reading in Exodus there is no possibility of approach to God without cleansing. There was to be no priestly service without first visiting the laver. This mandate was on pain of death "...that he die not". The laver was placed between the altar of sacrifice and the holy place; before serving at the altar of sacrifice, or entering the holy place they must wash from it. Thus cleanliness is necessary for worship and service to God. There are two aspects of the cleansing-there is initial cleansing, when Aaron and all the priests were cleansed at their initiation into priestly serve (this is the subject of chapter 29v4). What we have here is the necessity of ongoing washing from the defilement of the desert. Jesus distinguished between these two aspects in John 13v10, in the upper room when Peter refused to have his feet washed. There, He says "He that is washed (louo-washed all over) needeth not save to wash (different word-nipto that is ceremonially wash) his feet, but is clean every whit". Scripture speaks of both aspects, the initial cleansing at the point of conversion, and the repetitive cleansing in service to God. Initial cleansing of the soul is referred to in Titus 3v5 where washing is in the context of our salvation-"...according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration... One of the aspects of sin, according to God's word, is the defiling nature of sin which is offensive to God. Read Isaiah chapter 1v4-7 and 16-20; also Psalm51v1-10. In Romans 3v10-12, Paul tabulates the universality of sin affecting every one of humanity; then in v13-18 the totality of sin-we are defiled from head to foot. He deals with in our initial sanctification, removing us from the filth of sin-1st Peter 1v2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God, through sanctification of the Spirit..."; John 3v5, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
The second aspect of ongoing cleansing is obvious, for we pick up defilement from the world we live in, and in the service of God we need to constantly cleanse ourselves in His service. This aspect is rarely spoken about for we have rested on our laurels through the perpetual teaching of "easy-believism", that has robbed us of basic practical Christianity. Scripture abounds with the need to wash ourselves in our worship of God, for our defilement is offensive to Him:
2nd Corinthians 7v1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".
James 4v8 "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts ye double minded".
Hebrews 10v22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water".
Having established the principle of regular washing, we look to the brazen laver for illustration.
The laver was made of brass (more like bronze or copper, since God did not use alloys). We have seen that brass in scripture symbolises God's disapproval of, and opposition to, sin and rebellion-Leviticus 26v19; Deuteronomy 28v23; Revelation 1v15. This first observation is that God is opposed to sin in all its forms, no matter who it involves. His attitude to it never changes. The apostle John wrote to the churches "These things I write unto you that ye sin not..." This was written to Christian believers. Provision has been made for sin and infirmity in regenerate life, we must use it in approach to God..."if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"-1st John 1v9-2v1. The brass reminds us of His permanent attitude to sin.
The laver was filled with water for washing. Running water in scripture tends to imply the Holy Spirit of God-John 7v38-39; Isaiah 44v3; Joel 2v28. Still water speaks of the word of God and its cleansing power-Psalm 119v9; Ephesians 5v26; John 17v17. Washing is a necessity in association with God-Psalm51v2v9; Isaiah 1v16; Jeremiah 4v14. Isaiah 52v11 says "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord". The word of God presents the standard of cleanliness and we should be actively exercised about this matter.
The material for the laver was made from the looking glasses of the women, in our terms mirrors. This is stated in Exodus 38v8. The women must have used burnished bronze for their mirrors and the devoted women contributed them to the tabernacle. This again points us to the word of God which is described as a mirror-James 1v21-25. Looking into the "perfect law of liberty|" as a mirror which reflects our state, says James involves not only reading the word but heeding it, allowing the word to change us into more acceptable servants. It is a beautiful picture which deserves our attention. Too often we use the word for curiosity or intellect only. Other times we use it to condemn others. It is only when we allow it to expose our own faults that we benefit and are transformed. Paul takes up the theme in 2nd Corinthians 5v18, "But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord". Each time the priests came to the laver, they saw a reflection of themselves, and proceeded to wash. As the Psalmist said, cleansing our way is by taking heed to the word 119v9.
Unlike most of the other vessels there was no shittim wood in the laver. There is nothing of humanity, even sanctified humanity in the operation of the laver. Awareness of the filth of sin, the need of cleansing, and God's permanent attitude toward it, is not of human intellect but wholly of God, and according to His standard.
Again, unlike most of the other vessels there are no dimensions given for the laver. God's attitude to sin and the need for cleansing on the part of His serving priests, knows no limits. The word of Peter to the serving priesthood of the present time is "Be ye holy; for I am holy"-1st Peter 1v16-a direct quotation from Leviticus 20v26. In the book of Leviticus, the book dealing with the worship of God's people, the holiness of God is stated over 150 times!
Attention is drawn to the laver and its foot-Exodus 3ov18; 30v28; 35v16; 38v8; 39v9; 40v21; 40v11. Cleansing at the laver is about regulating our walk, as is taught in Galatians 5v16 and v25. In Ephesians chapters 4-5, written to all the churches, there is a fivefold reference to Christian walk: 4v1 walk worthy of our calling; 4v17 walk not as other Gentiles in the vanity of their mind; 5v2 walk in love; 5v8 walk as children of light; 5v15 walk circumspectly. This is a comprehensive description of a normal Christian way of life. This is only possible by regular visits to the cleansing power of the word-Ephesians 5v26. It is likely, but not certain, that there was a link between the basin and the foot, the basin being a kind of reservoir, with the foot for washing hands and feet. If this is so it meant that to wash hands and feet before service they had to bend down. Humility becomes us as we serve the Lord.
There were no staves or rings to transport the laver, so it could be carried in direct contact. No human hand was to touch the ark or the table or the altar of incense, or the brazen altar. However they could touch the laver and they must use it for its cleansing power.
During transportation of the laver there was no covering, whereas every other vessel was covered. The laver, which represents the holiness of God, must be open to view at all times. Solemn attention must be given to the importance of cleansing in the work of God. Also the holiness of God must be proclaimed to the unbelieving world.
NO PRIESTLY SERVICE COULD BE DONE WITHOUT VISITING THE LAVER.
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