THE SANCTUARY -- A TRUTH LOST SIGHT OF
Chapter 3 - THE COURT - Part 2
The Laver for Washing
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Contents
- Introduction Part A
- Introduction Part B
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
"And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations." Exodus 30:17-21.
The Work of the Laver
"The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary; and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by God's presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to their shoes, which would desecrate the sanctuary; therefore the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the sanctuary.
In the court, beside the door of the tabernacle, stood the brazen laver, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle, that all impurity might be removed, 'that they die not.' All who officiated in the sanctuary were required of God to make special preparations before entering where God's glory was revealed." 1SP 348
And to show how careful they were to be in regard to cleanliness, Moses was to put a laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, " and put water there, to wash withal." And Moses and Aaron, and Aaron's sons that ministered before the Lord, were to wash their hands and their feet thereat when they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they went in before the Lord." 2T 611.
"What was the object of all this carefulness? Was it merely to recommend the people to God? Was it merely to gain His approbation? The reason that was given me was this, that a right impression might be made upon the people. If those who ministered in sacred office should fail to manifest care, and reverence for God, in their apparel and their deportment, the people would lose their awe and their reverence for God and His sacred service. If the priests showed great reverence for God by being very careful and very particular as they came into His presence, it gave the people an exalted idea of God and His requirements. It showed them that God was holy, that His work must be holy; that it must be free from everything like impurity and uncleanness; and that all defilement must be put away from those who approach nigh to God. " 2T 612
Just as the laver was used to wash away dust particles, and other impurities from the hands and feet, God intended that before ministry at any of the vessels of the sanctuary, the priests should wash away all defilement, impurities and uncleanness, or they would die.
David or Solomon's Tabernacle
The laver was constructed quite different in Solomon's day. Instead of a 'foot' to stand on, twelve oxen were used. This particular laver had measurements. 1Kings 7:23-26; 2Chronicles 4:2-5. Being described is a sea, or tank of water standing on twelve oxen, with every three oxen facing the four directions of the earth -- North, South, East and West.
This sea was positioned on the south side of the temple. 1 Kings 7:39. The top of the tank was wrought like the brim of a cup or shaped like a goblet with flowers of lilies. This tank contained two thousand baths for washing. Only priests could wash in this tank. 2 Chronicles 4:6. Notice that the washing was done inside, and was not something that could be dipped out. The baths with the water were inside the tank.
Additionally there were ten lavers of brass, five on each side of the house but also in the court. The purpose was for washing things that were now being offered for burnt offerings. 2 Chronicles 4:6. Again notice that the washing was done inside, and could not be dipped out. Of particular interest is the makeup of one of these lavers.
The base was four cubits square. The height was three cubits, the same as that of the altar. There were borders with lions, oxen and cherubim on them. 1Kings 7:29. Every base had four wheels. The height of the wheels being one cubit and a half, was the same as the height of the table for showbread and the ark of covenant.
On the top of the base was a ledge with borders, and cherubim, lions and palm trees engraved. 1Kings 7:27-37. This is a brief summary of the lavers built for the temple of Solomon by Hiram. What do these things mean? Or are they just poetic descriptions to the beauty of the temple built long ago?
The New Covenant
In the setting up of the sanctuary, before any of the vessels or furniture of the sanctuary could be used, the priests were consecrated before the entire congregation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. "And Moses brought Aaron and His sons, and washed them with water." Leviticus 8:6.
This washing was not from the laver, as 1. It was only to be used for washing hands and feet, and 2. It had not yet been anointed for ministry. The passage implies that the washing was for the entire body, and has its counterpart today in baptism. Dr. Young's literal translation of the bible renders it as follows: "And Moses bringeth near Aaron and his sons, and doth bathe them with water," This further explains Christ's response to Peter when he asked for a thorough bathing at the last supper. Christ said "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.." John 13:10.
Peter had already been baptized and the kind of wash he requested would have been another baptism. Christ told him that this was not now necessary. He was already a priest by baptism, so all he needed was his feet to be washed at the laver.
Partakers of the ordinance of the Lord's supper should first have been baptized or washed, in their consecration as priests in the new covenant priesthood, just as Aaron and his sons were washed at their anointing as priests in the temple, in the old covenant priesthood. This was necessary before they entered apartment one to partake at the Lord's table.
So too, today before any believer partakes at the Lord's table, baptism is necessary. The foot washing service, must be understood as a symbol of the washing of the soul from all sin defilement, by the water of 'the word'. Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3. For Judas was not clean. John 13:11.
The real anti-typical washing at the laver is when believers go to God through Christ for themselves, with confession of sins on their lips, pleading forgiveness, holding the word of God before them, that their confession may be received.
The foot-washing service is a symbol like the laver, that the believer is receiving the humility to accept his filthiness, so that he may approach Jesus through the word of God to be made clean. Christ implemented this ceremonial service just before His death, in the preparation of His disciples for the holy place ministry in heaven after resurrection.
"When Christ told Peter that unless he submitted to this service, he could have no part with him, Peter surrendered his pride and self-will. This can never, never be. He was all broken up at the thought, and exclaimed, "Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
Jesus had a lesson, deep, full, and significant: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." The true version reads, "He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet." That lesson comprehended more than bodily cleansing.
The feet of Judas were washed, but his heart was defiled with sin. In the very act of girding himself with a towel to wash the feet of his disciples, Jesus would subdue and cleanse them from their alienation, and dissension, and jealousy, and pride. Not one of them was in an acceptable state before God, with such a spirit of unhappy dissension.
The renewed heart, cleansed from every defilement, was of far more consequence than the outward application of water to their dusty feet. Jesus could not give them the lessons he so much desired to impart unless they would come into a proper state of humility and affection. Dissension always creates hatred, but Christ washed it away in the act of washing his disciples' feet. A change of feeling did come; the union of heart and love for one another did exist.
They became meek, teachable, and loving, and would have conceded to any one the highest place. They were prepared to partake of the last supper with fragrant feelings of love, deep and full, for their Master and for one another." RH 1898-05-07.
Just to summarize: Water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, John 7:37-39. The tank container with water in it carrying the lilies on top is a symbol of Christ, for He is the Lily of the valley. Song of Solomon 2:1,2. Christ told his disciples "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3.
Christ the Living Word of God, through His spoken word, accompanied by His Holy Spirit--John 6:63, cleanses the soul temple from sin defilement. Every believer must approach the antitypical laver, the word of God for themselves, to receive a washing from sin, and this process must be repeated each time sin is discovered within the soul temple.
But remember, this laver was for the priests who had been washed. We are admonished to be baptized when we believe in Jesus. For "He that believest and is baptized shall be saved;" Mark 16:16. When we are believe and are baptized, we must approach Christ daily, climbing into Him for cleansing as we view the majesty and beauty of Jesus, while recognizing our awful sinfulness.
Finally, this cleansing is extended throughout earth's remotest bounds, wherever the church of God is located, hence the twelve oxen facing the four different directions. Why oxen? Oxen were yoked together and used in Israel primarily for plowing the field. 1 Kings 19:19.
In the type, the twelve tribes of Israel were encamped around the sanctuary. The number twelve is symbolic of God's spiritual Israel, which is His church. His church must plow the field, working for Jesus, talking about Jesus, living for Jesus, drawing others to Jesus, carrying the tank-laver of the word, that others too might believe, for we must possess and carry the laver for soul cleansing each day. This is the work to be done in the court, not in the temple.
The Ten Lavers
Like the massive tank, the ten lavers were placed in the court. "He also constructed ten vats for water to wash the offerings,..." 2 Chronicles 4:6, The Living Bible. "He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed,..." 2 Chronicles 4:6, The New International Version.
The apostle Paul tells us "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,..." Romans 12:1. Before the offering is offered, certain parts must be washed. Lev. 1:9. Here is presented the work of bringing new believers to Jesus. Before a new believer can see the need of offering himself as a sacrifice, his sins must be washed away by the Spirit of God, that he may get into position at and on the altar. Romans 12:1.
Notice first the perfect work being carried out by the base of the laver. The perfection is represented by the base measurements of four cubits long by four cubits broad. This work is done through a combination of lions, oxen, and cherubim. 1 Kings 7:27,29. Christ is described as a lion. Genesis 49:9,10; Revelation 5:5.
We are enjoined by the word "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ..." Romans 13:14. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.." John 1:12. When we are born again, when we have received Jesus, we are part of the lion family. We are the sons of the father lion--Christ. But because of our sinfulness, we need the companionship of our guardian angels--cherubim to be with us throughout this life in the court.
One more important feature of the base. The base carried four wheels. The height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. The work of the wheels were the work of a chariot wheel. The mouth on the base was also one and a half cubits. The borders of the mouth were four square. 1 Kings 7:30-33
What furniture in the sanctuary measured a cubit and a half in height? The ark of covenant -- Exodus 25:10; and the table of shewbread-- Exodus 25:23. In other words the Lion, the oxen, and the cherubim, carried the height of the perfect word of God. The laver of water represented the word of God. The mouth of the base--the lion, oxen and cherubim did the speaking.
What a combination. Lions--Victorious Christ, oxen--the church yoked together for duty, cherubim--our guardian angel, the wheels--the word of God. Is there any reason why we are not more successful in our daily witnessing, when God already has the combined forces in place?
To sum up this laver. This laver was the entire evangelistic mechanism that would ever be needed by God and His people to draw men and women to Christ. In other words, the word attracts, it draws, it plows, it protects and it also contains the detergent properties to wash the vilest sinner from sin and carry him to the altar. Praise the Lord.
"We have been taught by God concerning the great plan of redemption. This should be to us a matter of earnest thanksgiving. God's promises will never fail if we constantly watch unto prayer. Having learned the excellent way, we are to be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit.
We are to be purified and cleansed through the washing of the Word. It is the privilege of every one to be grounded and settled in the faith. No one who exercises that faith which works by love and purifies the soul will be moved away from the hope of the Gospel." ST 1909-04-01.
"In no way can Christ's disciples be cleansed but by obedience to the truth. The apostle Paul writes: "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water of the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
And Peter writes: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently; being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1906-11-07
Abide in Me. The apostle Peter calls all true believers priests. 1Peter 2:9.
Each day should find us at the laver of the Word, so that all defilement and impurities would be washed away before our ministry for that day. May God impress upon you the solemnity of this work which He has entrusted to us, who are part of His new covenant priesthood in this final generation.
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