Exodus 38:8 – In need of sanctification

The other article in the courtyard of the Tabernacle was the bronze laver or a basin. In Exodus 38:8, we are told that it was the women who served at the doorway of the tent that gave up their mirrors so that this laver could be made. What material were their mirrors made of? It was made of bronze. Those serving women would keep a piece of highly polished bronze that could reflect to them how they look. It was their version of the mirror. So, we are told that they gave up their mirrors and contributed them for the sake of making the bronze laver or little basin.  

This little basin was placed between the Brazen Altar and the entrance into the tent of meeting. It was placed there so that the priests could clean themselves of the blood they were stained with, after conducting the sacrifice at the Brazen Altar. This was stipulated by God in Exodus 30:18-21, saying, “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it. Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord. So they shall wash their hands and their feet so that they will not die; and it shall be a perpetual statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations.”  So, washing was needful before the priests appeared before the Lord. According to these verses, twice the Lord told them that it was a matter of life and death. The priest could not appear before the Lord without washing or they would die. Appearing before the Lord was a serious matter, hence, being clean was needful.

  

Everything pertaining to the Tabernacle, both inside the tent as well as in the courtyard, tells us something about God or how a man should approach God. Like the sacrifice made at the Brazen Altar, Christ sacrificed Himself and died vicariously for us so that we could be justified. The cross where the Lord Jesus died for us is the Brazen Altar where we receive our justification. The next step is depicted by the bronze laver that indicates our need for progressive sanctification. Bear in mind that Christian life is a journey. Justification starts us off, but we also need to be sanctified progressively in the walk. In justification, we are freed from the penalty of sin. In sanctification, we are freed from the power of sin progressively. The end goal of our journey is glorification. That’s when we will be in the presence of God, free from the presence of sin. As we consider the implication of the bronze laver, let us be reminded that we are on a journey. God through the Holy Spirit is cleansing and sanctifying us, to free us from the power of sin.