Focus

Key Scriptures of Tabernacle

Instruction concerning the TabernacleExodus 25 -31

Construction of the TabernacleExodus 35 - 40

Key Verse

Exodus 25:8,9And let them make me a sanctuary that I may

dwell among them.According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of

all the furnishings thereof, even so shall ye make it.

The three parts of the Tabernacle and its furnishings

The Tabernacle Study # 3

The Laver

Exodus 30:17-2117 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,18 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.

19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet there at:

20 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:

21 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.

Overview – The Laver

1. Its Difference from the Altar2. Its Distinction3. Its Contents4. Its Position5. Its Construction6. Its Utility7. Its Omissions

1. Its difference from the Altar

The Altar• Made of Wood & Brass• Square in shape

• Dimensions mentioned• Had rings & staves• Had coverings• Was for fire

• Sacrifices for all Israelites• Cleansing by blood

The Laver• Brass only

• Round (not specified)• Not mentioned

• None• Not mentioned• Was for water• Only for Priests• Cleansing by water

2. Its Distinction

"For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat" (v. 19).

Designed for priestly purification.Not for acceptance, but practical purification.

Not from guilt of sin, but defilement of the way.Hands smeared by blood, feet soiled with dust.

Blood on hands – came into contact with death.In our daily lives – contact with world dead in sinsWorld lies under Wicked one’s control – defiles.

Need of daily sanctification.Aaron and Sons – priests – we too royal priesthoodPriestly privileges and duties – cleansing essential.

Union with Christ - positionCommunion with Christ – practice.

Laver – Lord Jesus Christ, His sufficiency.

3. Its contents

"And thou shall put water therein, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water" (vv. 18-20).

Water, not blood, element for purification.Water – figure of the word of God.Ps 119:9 How shall a young man cleanse his way…John 15:3 Now you are clean through the word…

Ex 29:4 "And Aaron and his sons thou shall bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and thou shall wash them with water.“

Exodus 30:19 "Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet there at.“

Former done FOR them; Latter done BY them.First: Completely washed all over – not repeatedSecond: Only hands and feet washed - repeated.One – Regeneration. Second – Sanctification.

The defilements of the way – does not undo

regeneration.Laver Christ

Water Word of God

Upper Room Scene.John 13:10 Christ to Peter:• “He that is washed need not save to wash

his feet, but is clean every whit”.

• “if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me”.

Not ‘in Me’ but ‘with Me’In Christ – My position

With Christ – My fellowship, practice.

4. Its Position

"And thou shall put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar" (v. 18).Midway between the two altars.

Work at brazen altar completed – No more bloodBut the water of the word is applied.

Unknowingly Christians sing and speak of Re-application of the blood.

Degrade Christ’s perfect sacrifice to Mosaic time.Heb 10:4 – …could not take away…

Heb 10:14 …By one offering Christ has perfected…

We are complete in Him – Col 2:10Partakers of the inheritance of the saints – 1:12

Un-blamable and un-reprovable 1:22Laver stood in the outer court – not holy place.In view is the priestly activity – removing stains.

Confession of sins and practical cleansing precedes worship.

Failure to this brings moral death.1 Cor 11:28 Let a man examine himself…

Washing at the Laver before coming to Lord’s table.

5. Its construction"Thou shall also make a Laver of brass" (v. 18). Outer court – brass or covered with brass.Inner chamber – covered with gold.Brass judment.Laver Christ in his character as judge.John 5:22 "The Father judges no man, but hath

committed all judgment unto the Son“Perfect righteousness of Christ, testing, judging.Also supplies water for cleansing any stain.

Source of material: Ex 38:8 "And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses

of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."

Looking glasses – highly polished brass – from Egypt.Women willingly offered what otherwise gratify vanity, for

Lord’s service and worship.Sacrificial giving of sisters are exemplary.

Lk 8:2,3 Women who ministered of their substance; Usefulness of worldly goods.

James 1:23-25 Looking into the perfect law of liberty

6. Its UtilityThe water in the Laver – believer judging himself.

1.Word – use to prevent us falling into evil.As a lamp and light – expose snares of Satan.2. Word – cleansing from all defilement.

2 Cor 7:1 from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.3. Word – for refreshing. To invigorate.

Gen 18:4 "Let a little water, I pray you, befetched, and wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree“. (cf Gen 19:2 refused to wash)

To minister as priests we need refreshment from his word to revive ourselves.

7. Its omissionsNo dimensions prescribed for the Laver -No quantity of water it contained.Denotes unlimited provision for our cleansing.Christ and His word sufficient for our every needNo directions concerning covering of Laver, Nu 4.Purifying word is always available – use it daily.Laver is mentioned only once more after erection of

the Tabernacle – Lev 8:11.1 Ki 7:23 Solomon’s temple – molten sea.Israel’s departure from the word – sad history.

Lesson for LifeThe Altar says “without shedding of blood there is

no remission”.The Laver says “without holiness no man shall see

God”.The very material from which the Laver was made

spoke of surrender, a willingness to part with what was used to make something of self.

Are we willing to sacrifice what ministers to our pride to obtain cleansing and communion with God?