The True Tabernacle: (The Laver) Series

The True Tabernacle: (The Laver)

TEXT:

Exodus 30:17-21 (NKJV)

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them—to him and his descendants throughout their generations.”

Exodus 38:8 (NKJV)

He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Humanity's first encounter with mirrors was probably as they saw their reflection in the water. In an attempt to recreate the experience of Narcissus, some six thousand years ago it was polished obsidian (black volcanic ash) that formed the earliest man-made mirrors that have been found.

The ancient Egyptians made mirrors of polished copper or bronze that they embellished with decorations. Both ancient Mesopotamia and the people groups of Central and South America had polished metal mirrors in 2000 B.C.

Metal-backed mirrors were first produced in Lebanon around the first century and the Romans made mirrors of blown glass backed with lead.

The Bible mentions a bronze mirror in Job 37:8 poetically of the sky which God spread out. Isaiah mentions mirrors as part of women's fashion in his day (Isa 3:22).

While there may have been a time in human history and there may still be places today with less, in our 21st-century Western world mirrors are a part of our everyday lives. The reverse button on the camera apps on our smartphones turns them into mirrors. There are mirrors in our bathrooms, and at least three in our vehicles. Mirrors are everywhere. They are on the walls at the local gym so we can see our progress toward our goals and how far we have to go. They line the walls of our living rooms and restaurants to give a sense of greater depth. Mirrors are for examination, reflection, and transformation.

Mirrors are the stuff of fairytales and magic, both good and bad.

The wicked queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves asks her magical "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all," and did not like the reply. The mirror knew that there was someone far fairer than she would ever be no matter what she did. How often have we looked into the mirror and done the same?

When the LORD gave the commandment for the piece of furniture that occupied the space between the altar and the tent where they worshipped, he placed it in the part of the book of Exodus where Moses describes the clothing of the priests who served in the worship of the tabernacle. God had a specific order for them to follow. When they began to serve initially in the OT priesthood they were ritually cleansed for the job. It was a way of setting them apart. The word that the book of Exodus uses for this setting apart is "holy." It means that they were separated from the rest of the world for a special purpose, and that purpose was their relationship with God.

Remember that the Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among the tribes of Israel. Those of the tribe of Levi, both the sons of Aaron and their relatives had a special ministry. Aaron and his sons were clothed in garments that represented this holy purpose.

On the priest's shoulders were onyx stones that had the names of the tribes engraved on them. On the vest of the high priest were twelve rows of precious stones that represented the tribes. They were carrying their relatives, their entire nation, on their shoulders and their hearts. The priesthood that the Lord has set each of us apart for is similar, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. As He carried His Cross on His Shoulder it was as if our names, your name, and my name, were weighing there upon Him. And who can deny that He carried us close to His Heart? Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins! He laid down His Life for us!

The New Testament teaches us that we are to pray for others. Those around us, those who are in our government, whether good or bad, and those in our cities. In this way, we serve as priests unto the LORD. Jesus prayed for His apostles in John 17 and He also prayed for us who would believe in Him through their words.