(52) The Bronze Basin

We return to the Tabernacle. Behind the altar is the bronze basin or laver. Here the priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle and then again when they came out. So, the bronze basin was the place of ceremonial cleansing before entering the Tabernacle. The priests had the guilt of their sins dealt with at the bronze altar. Now they had to be ceremonially cleansed from the defilement of sin. It was a symbol of the removal of the presence of sin in the life of the priest.


(Note: video refers to copper as the metal for the basin.  I could find no explanation for this deviation from all other sources of information)


The sacrifices dealt with the guilt and penalty that comes with sin. The cleansing at the alter was a ceremonial act of cleansing from the presence of sin. The guilt removed must lead to the actual presence of sin being removed.

The one who comes into God’s presence must be clean, free from the defilement of sin. After the guilt of sin is removed, the acts of sin must be confessed, forsaken, and forgiven before fellowship with God can take place.

Of course it is easy to see how the bronze basin points forward with hope of Jesus. Jesus fully identified with humanity and was tempted in every way we are and yet, He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15) Paul tells us that Jesus “knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21).” He was perfectly qualified to represent man to the Father without any need for personal cleansing.

There’s another way the bronze basin instructs us. Not in relation to Jesus, but in relation to ourselves. Remember we noted that the priests cleaned their hands and feet when they went into the Tabernacle, and when they came out? This is a lesson for us in the approach to God in worship and the response to God when genuine worship has taken place in His presence.

In order to come before God in true, genuine worship, we need to cleanse ourselves. This isn’t an issue of relationship. That is settled by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. No, this has to do with fellowship and worship. When we come before God to worship Him either in personal worship or in public worship, our first act of worship must be to search our hearts and confess any sin to God in repentance. Then, we can worship God with clean hands and a pure heart. This is what is required to “ascend the hill of the LORD and stand in his holy place” (Ps 24:3).

Then, as we spend time in God’s presence, we will certainly see more sin in our lives, if it is only an error in thinking. And so, as we leave God’s presence, we again need to cleanse ourselves through confession and repentance.

How’s your cleansing routine? I’m not talking about how often you bathe. I’m talking about your routine of evaluating yourself against the standard of Jesus’ character. How often are your thoughts, attitudes and actions washed clean by the Word of God? Are you quick to come clean?
 
 
Next:  (53)   The Table of Showbread