Focus
Key Scriptures of Tabernacle
Instruction concerning the Tabernacle
Exodus 25 -31
Construction of the Tabernacle
Exodus 35 - 40
Key Verse
Exodus 25:8,9
And let them make me a sanctuary that I may
dwell among them.
According to all that I show thee, after the
pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of
all the furnishings thereof, even so shall ye
make it.
The three parts of the Tabernacle
and its furnishings
The Tabernacle Study # 3
The Laver
Exodus 30:17-21
17 And
the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also
of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between
the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and
thou shalt put water therein.
19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their
feet there at:
20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation,
they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when
they come near to the altar to minister, to burn
offering made by fire unto the LORD:
21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet that they
die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even
to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
Overview – The Laver
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Its Difference from the Altar
Its Distinction
Its Contents
Its Position
Its Construction
Its Utility
Its Omissions
1. Its difference from the Altar
The Altar
• Made of Wood & Brass
• Square in shape
• Dimensions mentioned
• Had rings & staves
• Had coverings
• Was for fire
• Sacrifices for all Israelites
• Cleansing by blood
The Laver
• Brass only
• Round (not specified)
• Not mentioned
• None
• Not mentioned
• Was for water
• Only for Priests
• Cleansing by water
2. Its Distinction
"For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands
and their feet thereat" (v. 19).
Designed for priestly purification.
Not for acceptance, but practical purification.
Not from guilt of sin, but defilement of the way.
Hands smeared by blood, feet soiled with dust.
Blood on hands – came into contact with death.
In our daily lives – contact with world dead in sins
World lies under Wicked one’s control – defiles.
Need of daily sanctification.
Aaron and Sons – priests – we too royal priesthood
Priestly privileges and duties – cleansing essential.
Union with Christ - position
Communion with Christ – practice.
Laver – Lord Jesus Christ, His sufficiency.
3. Its contents
"And thou shall put water therein, for Aaron and
his sons shall wash their hands and feet
thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of
the congregation, they shall wash with water"
(vv. 18-20).
Water, not blood, element for purification.
Water – figure of the word of God.
Ps 119:9 How shall a young man cleanse his way…
John 15:3 Now you are clean through the word…
Ex 29:4 "And Aaron and his sons thou shall bring
unto the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation, and thou shall wash them with
water.“
Exodus 30:19 "Aaron and his sons shall wash
their hands and feet there at.“
Former done FOR them; Latter done BY them.
First: Completely washed all over – not repeated
Second: Only hands and feet washed - repeated.
One – Regeneration. Second – Sanctification.
The defilements of the
way – does not undo
regeneration.
Laver  Christ
Water  Word of God
Upper Room Scene.
John 13:10 Christ to Peter:
• “He that is washed
need not save to wash
his feet, but is clean
every whit”.
• “if I wash thee not thou
hast no part with me”.
Not ‘in Me’ but ‘with Me’
In Christ – My position
With Christ – My
fellowship, practice.
4. Its Position
"And thou shall put it between the tabernacle of the
congregation and the altar" (v. 18).
Midway between the two altars.
Work at brazen altar completed – No more blood
But the water of the word is applied.
Unknowingly Christians sing and speak of
Re-application of the blood.
Degrade Christ’s perfect sacrifice to Mosaic time.
Heb 10:4 – …could not take away…
Heb 10:14 …By one offering Christ has perfected…
We are complete in Him – Col 2:10
Partakers of the inheritance of the saints – 1:12
Un-blamable and un-reprovable 1:22
Laver stood in the outer court – not holy place.
In view is the priestly activity – removing stains.
Confession of sins and practical cleansing
precedes worship.
Failure to this brings moral death.
1 Cor 11:28 Let a man examine himself…
Washing at the Laver before coming to Lord’s table.
5. Its construction
"Thou shall also make a Laver of brass" (v. 18).
Outer court – brass or covered with brass.
Inner chamber – covered with gold.
Brass  judment.
Laver  Christ in his character as judge.
John 5:22 "The Father judges no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son“
Perfect righteousness of Christ, testing, judging.
Also supplies water for cleansing any stain.
Source of material: Ex 38:8 "And he made the laver of
brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses of
the women assembling, which assembled at the door of
the tabernacle of the congregation."
Looking glasses – highly polished brass – from Egypt.
Women willingly offered what otherwise gratify vanity, for
Lord’s service and worship.
Sacrificial giving of sisters are exemplary.
Lk 8:2,3 Women who ministered of their substance;
Usefulness of worldly goods.
James 1:23-25 Looking into the perfect law of liberty
6. Its Utility
The water in the Laver – believer judging himself.
1. Word – use to prevent us falling into evil.
As a lamp and light – expose snares of Satan.
2. Word – cleansing from all defilement.
2 Cor 7:1 from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
3. Word – for refreshing. To invigorate.
Gen 18:4 "Let a little water, I pray you, be
fetched, and wash your feet and rest yourselves
under the tree“. (cf Gen 19:2 refused to wash)
To minister as priests we need refreshment from
his word to revive ourselves.
7. Its omissions
No dimensions prescribed for the Laver No quantity of water it contained.
Denotes unlimited provision for our cleansing.
Christ and His word sufficient for our every need
No directions concerning covering of Laver, Nu 4.
Purifying word is always available – use it daily.
Laver is mentioned only once more after erection of
the Tabernacle – Lev 8:11.
1 Ki 7:23 Solomon’s temple – molten sea.
Israel’s departure from the word – sad history.
Lesson for Life
The Altar says “without shedding of blood there is
no remission”.
The Laver says “without holiness no man shall see
God”.
The very material from which the Laver was made
spoke of surrender, a willingness to part with
what was used to make something of self.
Are we willing to sacrifice what ministers to our
pride to obtain cleansing and communion with
God?