“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing” (Ex. 30:18a).
God orders Moses to make a wash basin of bronze designed to contain a good quantity of water. This is to be set between the meeting place and the altar. That Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet in this laver before approaching the Lord indicates their need for cleansing before coming into the presence of the most holy God. Being accepted of God is always conditional: we must be cleansed before we can come into His holy presence. The key, however, is not that we wash ourselves, but that we are washed in Christ. He meets the conditions necessary for sinful man to approach the Father. He is our inexhaustible fountain in which we are cleansed. If we do not go to Him, confessing our need of cleansing, it is our own fault that we remain in our pollution, in which state we will never know God.
The priests were commanded to wash their hands and feet every time they ministered. For this purpose, fresh water was put into the laver every day. Though they washed themselves ever so clean at their own homes, they had to wash at the bronze laver because it alone was appointed by God for that purpose. This seems to have been designed to teach them purity in their ministry, and to cause them to revere God’s holiness and to dread the corruption of sin. They needed to understand that they were not only to be washed and made clean when they were first consecrated, but that they had to wash and be kept clean continually: “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” (Ps. 24:3–4a).
If we are to attend upon the Lord daily, we must renew our repentance and our faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin. Often, we sin against God, and often we must go to our Intercessor who cleanses us from all unrighteousness. In Him, we find continual forgiveness for our transgressions and daily cleansing by His Spirit. James 4:8 teaches us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” We need to examine ourselves often, to confess our sin, and to renew our repentance. We can do this because of Jesus Christ, the eternal fountain in which we are washed.
Today’s lesson deals with our sanctification, not our justification, which is why there are so many exhortations to personal activity such as exercising faith and repentance. Our salvation isn’t lost when we sin, but we need to honor God by confessing our sin and being reconciled in Christ. Go to your Advocate today. Confess your specific sins.
