DO NOT LAVER IN VAIN

As we continue our Tabernacle tour, we might wonder why the mention of these next two elements were left to the end. This is when, in Exodus 30 we are brought back inside the Holy Place and introduced to the altar of incense, situated right in front of the Presence of God. First let’s look at how many names this altar is given: In Hebrew it is called mizbaḥ ha-ketoret (altar of incense), mizbaḥ ha-zahav (altar of gold), and mizbeaḥ ha-penimi (inner altar). The significance of the altar of incense is that it symbolizes prayer. We see a great a connection made in Psalm 141:2 when David said, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense.”

The question comes up as to why the altar is mentioned at the end of our tour, and not at the start. Part of the answer may lie in the fact that the fire that was used to burn the incense had to be taken from the altar of sacrifice, otherwise it would not be accepted. This is why it was mentioned after the altar of sacrifice. This reinforces the fact for the believers that prayer should be made in the name of Yeshua, Who is our atoning sacrifice. This is summed up by Peter who, when arrested, boldly declared to the religious leaders in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other Name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” This is why our prayers, while addressed to the Father, are done in the name of Yeshua. We recognize His death and resurrection which the bronze altar of sacrifice typifies.

And as the incense was burnt, its smoke rose up and moved toward the Holy of Holies through the opening between the ceiling and the veil. It filled the place, symbolizing our prayers entering heaven. And it is in heaven where we see the altar of incense, the real one, mentioned in Revelation 8 and 9. In Revelation 8 at the opening of the 7th seal, we read in vs.1, When the

Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then, in vs.3 we read, Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censor; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. Here we are brought somewhere in the middle of the Tribulation, and this is when a moment of silence is taken before the seven trumpets are sounded.

What might be the meaning of this half hour of silence? It was a time given for the prayers of the saints. Right in the midst of such turbulent global events, something equally important is given attention. It is the intercessory prayers of the saints. This is what the believers will do in heaven during the Tribulation and this word saint in the Bible points to all believers. And so, the blowing of the trumpets will not come until God allows the believers to pray. We then ask, why for half an hour?

There might be a connection with what we learn in the Mishnah, the Jewish Oral Law which also contains many historical facts. It was estimated that the length of time needed for a priest to perform the offering of the incense in the Holy Place was half an hour (m. Tamid 6). From the moment he took the coal from the altar of sacrifice to when he placed it on the altar of incense was a half-hour. This is the same amount of time that was used to represent the prayers of the believers. Perhaps the two events are related in some way, and we can surely use this information in our proclamation of the Word to the Jewish people.

The second and last item of the tour is the laver. How important was this laver and the washing that the priests were required to do? We read in Exodus 30: 2, So they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they will not die; and it shall be a perpetual statute for them. If they don’t wash, they die. How might we understand this and how might that concern the believer today? First, we consider the laver that was made of brass. Brass or copper is a symbol of judgment, and it was the same material as the altar of sacrifice. It teaches us that Yeshua took all our punishment on Himself, so that we do not die spiritually. However, the brass element of the laver also reminds us that we ought to judge ourselves for there are consequences to sin. There is a commandment in the Law of the Messiah, in 1Cor. 11:31 which says, But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.

What was contained in the laver was water, and water is a powerful symbol of the Word of God. Considering the many verses which speak of the Word of God as water, water which washes and sanctifies the believer, the message is clear. We are cleansed by the Word of God. This is what we read in Eph 5:26, that He might sanctify and cleanse her (the Church) with the washing of water by the word.

The Hebrew Bible offers us a powerful passage that depicts the connection between the Word and purity. It is found in Psalm 119:9 where David, who only had a few books of the Bible to glean from wrote, How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

There is one more feature about the laver which we are given in Exodus 38:8 which reads, Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. It’s important to realize that we are seldom given all the information in any one part of the Scriptures. After reading through Exodus chapter 30, it is good that we did not close the book and conclude that this is all that the Bible has to say about the laver, because in Exodus 38 we are given more information. The prerequisite to studying Scripture is this; stand back and get the larger picture. We should apply this practice to any Bible theme or doctrine. It is important to search through the 66 books of the Bible.

So, what we learn here is that the laver was made from the mirrors which belonged to the Israelite women.  Have you ever been surprised by your reflection in a mirror? At first glance, it appears that many just cannot believe this is the way they look. We may think that we are thinner, and taller or more muscular, but a mirror does not lie.

Did you know that psychologists use mirrors for therapy? They use it as a tool for self-reflection and introspection which might help the patient understand themselves better. They say that the act of looking at oneself in a mirror can elicit a range of emotions, from self-love and confidence to self-doubt and insecurity. Mirrors allow us to see ourselves as others see us, and this can be a powerful tool for self-exploration. But 3500 years ago, Moses already knew that. The priests had a dose of this therapy every single day and many times during the day.

And what is most interesting is that when the Israelites were on the move in the wilderness, all other elements of the Tabernacle were covered by a curtain. Some had its own color, while some items shared the same-colored curtain. But we notice that the laver was not covered. Imagine, as the elements of the Tabernacle were being carried, the priests who were around it would surely gaze at all these items, but the only one uncovered and openly exposed was the laver, allowing them to see the reflection of who they really were, an important reminder to remain humble!

Click Here for the Teaching: Exodus Sermon 29: The Tabernacle has Spoken