photo courtesy of promiselandjourney.org
The second piece of furniture one encountered when entering the Tabernacle was the Bronze Laver (in the outer court)
Scripture: Exodus 30:17-21 and Exodus 38:8
The priests were the only ones allowed to approach the Bronze Laver. They had to wash their hands and their feet at the Brass Laver before ministering at the Brazen Altar or before entering into the Holy Place. The Bronze Laver should teach us the effects of living in a world of sin. Our sins are forgiven at the Brazen Altar by the blood of Yeshua but there is still an ongoing cleansing that must take place, on a daily basis, from the effects of sin in this world. According to the New Testament we are all priests now, so we can approach the Brass Laver.
Notice that the Laver had to be made out of the mirrors that were used by the women. This is significant. When the priests leaned over to wash themselves in the water (mayim) they would have seen a clear reflection of themselves in the water and from the brass. They did not see others around them, but they saw their own reflection clearly. You see, we are to see ourselves by the Holy Spirit. We need to see ourselves as God sees us. This is having deep intimacy with Him, when we are able to see ourselves as He sees us. We must agree with God about ourselves.
Salvation alone is not enough!!! We must examine ourselves daily through the lens of the Holy Spirit. Paul says that he had to die daily (I Cor. 15:31. We must crucify our flesh on a daily basis. Revelation says that the “bride has made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7). She does this by “washing herself” on a regular basis. Romans 8:13, “For if you live after the flesh, you shall die, but if you through the Spirit do mortify (kill) the deeds ( practice) of the body, you shall live.” We kill the flesh, so that we can be more like Him, by the “washing of the water by the Word.” Read Ephesians 5: 26-27, Titus 2:14, Titus 3:5, II Cor. 7:1.
The Word (Torah) and The Spirit of God (Ruach HaKodesh) will perform this miracle in our lives.
Read: I Cor. 13:12 - This is like looking at an “imperfect view” of something. At the present time we have a poor glimpse of who we will become. We have what would be considered a “poor reflection” , but when we make ourselves ready, and Yeshua returns, then we shall be like Him and then see the reflection more perfectly, “face to face”. We will then see ourselves as God sees us, cleansed and perfect before Him; free from all blemishes and spots. However, it is our job to get ourselves ready to meet Him.
This scripture does not mean that we shall be known as we were known on the earth (I will know my kids and they will know me, etc…) as is commonly quoted. It means that we shall “recognize” Him, as He “recognizes” us - face to face with God. The “dim” vision that we previously saw will no longer be there, but we will see a clear vision. We will have a perfect vision of Him, and Him in us. The process will then be complete; we will be like Him. We must cleanse ourselves on a daily basis (by the Word) so that we may go deeper, more intimate with Him.
So, here is what we have covered thus far in this series on the Tabernacle.
To be able to commune with Yahweh, we must enter through the one gate, (Yeshua) embrace the sacrifice of Yahweh’s only Son (Yeshua), be daily cleansed and washed by the Word and Spirit. Now, after we have done these three things, then we are finally ready to enter into the Holy Place, behind the first veil.
Shalom,
Leisa