The “laver of brass” (KJV) or the “bronze basin” (NIV) was one of the furnishings for the tabernacle that the Lord God instructed Moses to make. It was a basin that was filled with water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place.
Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. 20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, 21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.” (Exodus 30:17-21, NIV).
Scripture teaches us that the things we read of in the Old Testament “are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:17, NIV). In fact, we are told that “the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands” (Acts 17:24, NIV) and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in us, whom we have received from God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV). Therefore, there is no longer a tabernacle or temple where we can find a laver of brass but the function of the laver of brass should find reality of expression in us. We should be engaging in washing before we approach the altar of the Lord and before we minister before and to our God. The three-fold washing (the blood, the Word and the Spirit) should be at work in our lives daily.
Proverbs 30:12 (KJV)
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. Lord, help me not to walk in the ways of this generation. Help me to remember that “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [But] if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9, NIV).
Ezekiel 16:9 (NKJV)
Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. May I receiving such washing and anointing, in Jesus’ name.
John 15:3 (KJV)
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Dear Lord Jesus, may I continually hear and obey your word that I may remain clean.
1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV)
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Titus 3:5 (NKJV)
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV)
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Revelation 1:5 (NKJV)
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
DIG DEEPER:
- Blog Post – Washed