How is your spiritual hygiene? Exodus 30:17-21
Introduce myself
- For 7 years of my life, I worked in the health care industry, I helped in different roles and all of them required me to wash my hands numerous times/ put on gloves and remove them the right way
- I constantly wash my hands, before serving food, before eating, at the restaurants …Washing hands is a lifestyle
- Which creates problems, because I often think about other people’s washing. Specifically in restrooms– I am glad that this is a hugging church -not I will shake your hand Church
- As we all know, personal hygiene is important and as we are going to see, Spiritual hygiene is a must
- We have been going through the process in the tabernacle and the use and purpose of all the pieces
- Last week Pastor Matt spoke on altar of incense, and this week is the bronze laver. (Layva)
Bronze laver
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- The laver was used in the tabernacle and later in the temple to wash the hands and feet of priests before entering the Holy Place
- The laver was placed outside the Tabernacle of Meeting, between the Tabernacle door and the Altar of Burnt Offering
- As we saw in the past, to come to the presence of God, and to atone for our sins, there was an elaborate process the priest had to go through
- 1. Consecration and ordination through ceremonial washing, anointing, and sacrifices for preparation – (one time)
- 2. Personal sin offering and burnt offering on the Day of Atonement (one time)
- 3. Bathing and dressing in special linen garments, then Washing hands and feet at the bronze laver (ongoing)
- 4. Offering sacrifices for the people and applying the blood on the mercy seat (ongoing)
- 5. Burning incense on the altar to cover the mercy seat with smoke (ongoing)
- There are things that were done only one time, but we see that the washing of hands and feet at the laver was a continuous process
- Before they could go and in the offer sacrifice, they had to clean their hands and feet, lest they died
- Vs 21(Nkjv) So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die.
Let us unpack the laver and hopefully we learn something
- Measurements and Design
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- Unlike other Tabernacle items (e.g., the Ark, Altar, Menorah), the laver lacks specific instructions on dimensions, shape, and transport. There is no description of how to make, or how it looks
- The absence of detailed instructions did not diminish the importance of it, however it showed the unlimited provision of cleansing
- We humans have excuses for everything – hence the saying – Excuses or results, you can’t have both
- God’s offer is great “There’s no “limit” to the cleansing offered by God” – unlimited cleansing (Carwash example)
- No matter the size or the shape, the point is the cleansing. No excuses – Just get clean
- What does it mean to you? The Word and Christ’s sanctifying work—is always present and available, wherever God’s people serve Him.
- The ability to be cleansed is always available.
- No matter where you have been or what you have done, Jesus can make you clean
- Ezekiel 36:25 (Nkjv) Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
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- God demands holiness, but its not from our efforts. All we have to do is be obedient to HIM and HE will cleanse you – go to the laver and get cleansed
- 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.”
- Roman spoke on the cleansing power of God – Immovable Men- Such were some if you!
- You don’t have to fully understand the dimensions of the cross to know it saves. The point is not the size of the cross, the point is that Jesus shed His blood on the cross.
- The Song- “I called, and you answer And you came to my rescue” – and now I want to be where you are – In His purity
- Composition from Mirrors
- Exodus 38:8(Nkjv) He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
- Bronze mirrors were common in the Near East, crafted from highly polished bronze.
The laver was made from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle
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- Mirrors were precious items, used by women to adorn and beautify and see themselves
- A mirror reflects one’s appearance. Nothing with God is on accident, this repurposing of these mirrors has direct spiritual application.
- God chose to use mirrors for a reason – to reflect
- Bronze had spiritual application: judgement and atonement, strength and endurance, purification and sanctification and divine authority. It mattered it was made of bronze
- By repurposing these mirrors, God is requiring self-examination in purification
- It’s not enough that the water is going over the hands and feet, but reflection has to be part of the process – No ritual
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- There has to be a willingness to be “cleansed” in both heart and mind.
- Psalm 26:2 (Nkjv) Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.
- No ritual, even in the OT is done as standalone display. The HEART behind it matters.
What does it mean to you? There is a self-examining process required in spiritual cleansing
Just as the laver facilitated physical washing, self-reflection makes it possible for spiritual purification.
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- This is the process of sanctification. Reflection and soul-searching while doing Holy activities
- Worshipping, sermoning, devotions, fellowship, etc etc. YOU MUST REFLECT
- Psalm 139:23-24 (Nkjv) Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
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- God doesn’t want you to just be praying that, He wants to reveal to you the things that need to change
- Lamentations 3:40 (Nkjv) Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.
- 1 Cor11:28 But let a man examine himself, 2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves
- As the priest would enter in, he’d have to reflect before going into Holy of Holies
- No Mention of a Cover or Specific Transport Instructions
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- Unlike other holy items covered and transported in prescribed ways, the laver lacks instructions for transport or protection: all other items had clear described ways of transporting.
- The other items were not used for individual purification for the priestly duties.
- This omission indicates that spiritual hygiene is a continuously accessible process for those in ministry and service, rather than a one-time ritual. Purification is a Constant Need:
- You are ordained once, and consecrated once, but you are not purified once. It’s ongoing.
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- The priests were charged with ongoing priestly duties, including continual purification.
- Even a priest couldn’t be holy enough, and God knew that hence constant purification and reminder
- Psalm 51:10 (Nkjv) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
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- These priests had to maintain a pure lifestyle, but they could never be pure enough
- It wasn’t that their hands and feet were dirty, they just needed a constant reminder
- Proverbs 4:23(Nkjv) Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
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- What does it mean to you? As Christians, we must be continually purifying ourselves as well.
- We have been consecrated and ordained as priests and kings, but we must purify!
- Ps 119:9 (Nkjv) How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
- We read the Word continually and align our lives with it. We reflect and obey what it says.
- This is why– 2 Cor 7:1(Ampc) Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.
- It’s like this- John 13:10 (Nkjv) Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”
- We are CLEAN in Jesus. We’re holy and righteous. Even Jesus Christ knew that- but there are little parts of our hands and feet that will get dirty as we walk through this world. Need to purify it all!
- It doesn’t change our overall cleanliness with Christ- he said it- but we can’t keep dirty hands
- Placement
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- Between the Brazen Altar (where sacrifices were made) and the entrance to the Holy Place:
- The laver’s (Layva) placement highlights that purity and cleansing are prerequisites for approaching God and performing sacred duties.
- Left to ourselves we want to take calculus 201 without doing 101(Marriage, leadership, God to use us) – 101 prepares you for 201
- This washing prepared priests for both worship (entering the Holy Place) and service (offering sacrifices), illustrates the dual need for inner purity and outer actions to align with holiness. Inside and outside- there’s a difference. You need inner and outer purity to minister!
- How many people get upset to find a pastor who was living contrary to his preaching?
- Ps 24:3-4 (Nkjv) Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
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- To be used in the priestly ministry- and for us as well- we must see what we do as holy
- The actions themselves are not what God is looking for, he’s looking for heart change.
- What does it mean to you? – As you minister- you evangelize, you share, you should be praying Psalm 51:2 (Nkjv) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. HAVE A CONGRUENT LIFE
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- God wants pure priests! He doesn’t want people who want to lead people to him, while they themselves are whitewashed tombs. The outside of the cup is clean, but the inside is dirty. NO!
- This is what James says- James 4:8(Nkjv) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- This is why prayer, and devotions never ends- It’s a continuous cry to God to show me a place where I need to grow.
- Distinctive Use of Water, Not Fire
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- Unlike the altar’s fire for burning sacrifices, the laver used water exclusively for washing:
- Fire on the altar symbolizes judgment and the consuming nature of God’s justice; water in the laver symbolizes the ongoing sanctification necessary even after one has been justified by the altar sacrifice.
- Sanctification (being freed from sin) is a real thing. Purified once. Sanctification ongoing.
- Water, as a symbol of the Word (Ephesians 5:26), signifies how believers are cleansed and renewed daily through God’s Word. ‘By washing of water through the word’
- You need to get this! WASHING IS NOT WHAT CLEANSES YOU. JESUS CLEANSES YOU
- Have you ever seen in a movie when someone commits murder or adultery? they show them taking a shower? Somehow symbolizing their cleansing from their act.
- A shower doesn’t forgive sins. Baptism doesn’t forgive sins. Only the blood of Jesus received through repentance forgives sin. You must go to Jesus to be purified!
- This is what Isaiah 1:16 (Nkjv)”Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil.”
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- The way you wash yourselves is by putting away evil. You stop doing the stupid stuff.
- Only God can make you clean- Ezekiel 36:25(Nkjv) “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.”
- But only YOU can stop doing the horrible nasty sins. You have to stop doing them.
- Why Hands and Feet?
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- Priests were required to wash their hands and feet before service
- Hands are what we use for the ACTIONS we perform. FEET are the WAY in which we WALK.
- This dual washing signifies that believers’ actions and daily lives should be continually cleansed and aligned with God’s holiness.
- Exodus 30:20 (Nkjv)they shall wash with water, lest they die.
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- Death would be the result for not washing in any of the circumstances of this verse
- This may seem like excessive punishment for such an infraction, but when consider the nature of the duties, who it was for, and how often it was required. It makes sense
- This was a very simple and easy demand- please wash yourself.
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- A priest’s unwillingness to perform this duty, would show the greatest contempt for simple commands of God. If they won’t do this simple task- what else won’t they do?
- Ps 108:10 (Nkjv)He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
- You can’t even wash your hands? You can’t perform the simple task? You probably deserve death based on how you have lived but guess what- wash your hands and feet and we’re good.
- It’s repeated in v 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die
- Moses was told to take off his sandals. Not because dirt is holy, but because God is Holy- He wants tangible reminder to you of where you stand in the process
- To walk in disobedience to simple commands to wash would be a grievous sin towards God-
- So much so that it would deserve death. (what simple commands does God ask of you?)
- Why do you refuse to do the simple things that God requires? Repent, love, forgive, serve, honor your husband and love your wife, abstain from sexual sins? etc.?
- Use of the Laver as a “Statute Forever”
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- The ongoing requirement for priests to wash at the laver, established as an eternal ordinance:
- Even those consecrated for God’s service, like the priests, need continual purification.
- This process of purification is the process of sanctification, and it will never end
- Just as the priests returned to the laver continually, Christians are called to continually return to Christ and the Word for cleansing
- This was a promise of the prophet Zechariah 13:1(Nkjv) “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.”
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- Somehow Israel lost this practice and lost their holiness, but God redeemed them
- This process of washing with water for purification was done away with, but the process of Going to Jesus to be made clean will never go away. HE will always be the way of purification.
- Hebrews 9:13-14 (Nkjv)”For if ..the sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ,… cleanse your conscience from dead works “
- Go to the laver of Jesus- be made clean by the washing of His blood!
- Walk in his purification and justification!
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