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Lesson by Brother Walt Durgeloh
Text: Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8
Between the brazen altar and the tabernacle stood the brazen laver. It’s position before the tabernacle shows we cannot approach God until we are washed and clean. It’s position past the brazen altar is important in regards to a lost person cannot approach God through any personal effort, it takes a sacrifice and offering first (brazen altar).
The Laver shows the position of baptism and is a type of daily cleansing.
Why no dimensions given? The laver with water typifies the Word of God, it cleanses us (John 15:3) and there is no limit to it’s fullness in our lives (Psalm 119:96).
Cleansing at the Laver
As cleansing
- It was for the priests only (Ex 30:19)
- 1 Peter 2:9 Today, it is New Testament Church members, a royal priesthood that are to be cleansed daily for our service to God.
Done outside the tabernacle
- Ex 30:20 The priests were to wash and be clean before they entered the tabernacle, to enable one to rightfully enter to worship.
- For us today, spiritual cleansing should take place immediately before coming into worship.
- Psalm 66:18 To allow fellowship with God.
- The priests hands represented service, their feet represented their walk (witness). Our service and witness should be clean.
- Psalm 24:3-4 Clean hands and a pure heart come from cleansing (confession of sins).
Was not an option
- 1 John 1:8 All need cleansing, even if we deceive ourselves.
- Ex 30:20 Priests would die if they entered tabernacle “dirty”. How often do we enter God’s house “dirty”?
- 1 Cor 11:30-31 We are to examine ourselves, comparing to God’s Word,
- not to others (2 Cor 10:12 fools). This will keep away God’s judgment.
Water itself – used in laver
- Ex 17:3,6; 1 Cor 10:4 water from smitten rock used to quench thirst.
- Lev 11:25, 40 Personal washing
- Ex 29:17; Lev 1:9, 13 Used for washing of parts of slain offerings
The Laver
In position the Laver is a type of baptism.
- The laver outside the tabernacle did not put people in the tabernacle, just like water baptism today does not put people in the Lord’s church, but is one of the prerequisites for entering the Lord’s church.
- Lev 8:6 At the consecration of the high priest, Moses cleansed (baptized) Aaron and his sons.
- Matthew 3:13-17 John baptized Jesus before His ministry.
- Acts 2:41 Saved, then baptized, than members of the church.
Baptism is outside the church, but should immediately precede entering into
There are five necessities for Scriptural baptism:
- Proper Authority – a New Testament Church
- Scriptural candidate – one saved
- Scriptural purpose – submission to His will
- Scriptural administrator – an ordained preacher
- Scriptural mode – immersion in water
Types
- John 13:2-11 Jesus washes the disciples feet. To prepare them spiritually. To show His love for them.
- Rev 7:14 Spiritual cleansing is by the blood of the Lamb.
The laver materials.
- Exodus 38:8 The laver was made of brass, and with brass mirrors from the women.
- The mirrors were to show any defilement.
- The brass always spoke of judgment.
Water was placed in the laver for the purpose of cleansing from the defilement of daily sin.
John 15:3 Today we are cleansed by His Word.
James 1:22-25 Word is like a mirror.
We are cleansed inwardly through the shed blood of Jesus, and outwardly by the Spirit and Word.
Psalm 119:9
1 John 1:7
Rev 1:5