(Exodus 30:17-21)
The Laver was a large bronze basin containing water. The Bible does not record its size or dimensions.
Having entered through the Door into the Tabernacle’s Outer Court, the priests had to wash their hands and feet at the Laver before they could either enter into the Sanctuary Building or make any offering to the Lord at the Burnt Offering Altar. God warned Moses that if the priests did not wash they would die (Exodus 30:20-21). It is therefore a serious requirement that we “wash” as we come to handle any of the things of the Lord, because those who believe in the Lord Jesus are considered priests in the New Testament sense – see I Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6.
The New Testament speaks of washing in two ways:
- baptism (Acts 22:16), once only soon after we believe (Acts 16:31-33)
- the washing of the water in the Word (Ephesians 5:26; John 13:8-10; 15:8), according to the pattern in Exodus 29:39 at least twice daily (in the morning and evening).
LAVER OF BRASS
• Moses was commanded to make. Exodus 30:18
• Wisdom given to Bezaleel to make. Exodus 31:2, 9
• Made of brazen mirrors of the women. Exodus 38:8
• Was placed in the court between the altar and the tabernacle. Exodus 30:18;
Exodus 40:7, 30
• Was anointed with holy oil. Exodus 40:11; Leviticus 8:11
THE PRIESTS WASHED IN
• Before consecration. Exodus 40:12
• Before entering the tabernacle. Exodus 30:19-20
• Before approaching the altar. Exodus 30:20
• One made by Solomon for the temple. 1 Kings 7:23-26; 2 Kings 25:13
• Called the Brazen sea. 2 Kings 25:13; Jeremiah 52:17
• ILLUSTRATIVE OF.
• Christ the fountain for sin. Zech. 13:1; Rev. 1:5
• Regeneration. Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:26