Audio Links

Awesome Hands – Part 110

The Brazen Basin

February 3, 2017

In our previous study we learned that the Lord consecrates us as priests of God by “filling our hands”, and this filling of the hands directly corresponds to the work the Lord does through us.

In our study today, we are going to look at the next mentioning of “yad” and find out that the Lord requires that our work be clean.

The verses for consideration today are found in Exodus 30:17-21:

Exo 30:17  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 30:18  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.
Exo 30:19  For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
Exo 30:20  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:
Exo 30:21  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.

That they die not

It should be apparent that the Lord required that His priests have clean hands and feet when they come into the tabernacle, come near the altar to minister or when they burn an offering.

It should also be apparent that this is something that also applies to His spiritual priests today, and it would be neglectful not to teach this spiritual concept to “up and coming priests”.

What, then, is the spiritual significance of washing hands and feet? Additionally, what is the significance of where the priests are to perform this act?

The brazen altar, or laver, sits between the tabernacle and the altar where the offerings were made. The next requirement for going into the tabernacle was that the priests were required to wash in this laver so that they did not die.

Exodus 30 is the first time that this laver is mentioned, but it is also spoken about in other parts of scripture, and we’re going to take the sum of these other verses to find out what the spiritual significance of this laver is.

Mike did include this topic in his Revelation 15 study, so some of this will be review, while some of it will be adding line upon line and applying spiritual principles to the underlying message in washing hands and feet for the priesthood.

The anointing of Aaron and his sons to be priests was not only upon Aaron and his sons but was also done to the instruments and tools they would use as priests. This is very significant because it is with the hands that the tools would be used. Therefore, the hands needed to be clean before touching the anointed items again and again during the normal workflow of the ministering of the priesthood.

Lev 8:4  And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Lev 8:5  And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.
Lev 8:6  And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
Lev 8:7  And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
Lev 8:8  And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
Lev 8:9  And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Lev 8:10  And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
Lev 8:11  And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
Lev 8:12  And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

The brass laver is in the court and not in the tabernacle, but it must be “passed through”, it must be used in order to go into the tabernacle.

In other words, there must be a washing that takes places when the priests entered the tabernacle. For the priests in the old testament the washing was a physical act, but for the spiritual priests it is much more indeed.

The first thing that comes to my mind is what water and washing are told to us as being in the new testament.

Notice where “washing of water by the Word” is nestled in scripture.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

The relationship between a husband and wife is meant to be an extremely intimate one. When we are told what “washing of water by the Word” is, it is directly connected to Love and “the order of things”, and we’ll continue to discuss this point as we move throughout this study.

One another’s feet – that you die not

So far we have mentioned that hands are washed here, but feet are also washed in this laver.

Again, immediately I have two distinct washings come to mind when thinking of water and feet.

I know these stories are not new to us, but I am hoping you will be able to see the connection between the old and new treasures and how they connect directly together. This is the Modern King James Version.

Joh 13:2  And when supper had ended, the Devil now having put into the heart of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon to betray Him,
Joh 13:3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and went to God,
Joh 13:4  He rose up from supper and laid aside His garments. And He took a towel and girded Himself.
Joh 13:5  After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Joh 13:6  Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, do You wash my feet?
Joh 13:7  Jesus answered and said to him, You do not know what I do now, but you shall know hereafter.
Joh 13:8  Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.
Joh 13:9  Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head.

Oh, how I have felt like Peter so many times! Lord, just clean and purge all of me! Listen to Jesus’ answer for YOU today. He is speaking to you right now.

Joh 13:10  Jesus said to him, He who is bathed has no need except to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And you are clean, but not all.
Joh 13:11  For He knew who would betray Him. Therefore He said, You are not all clean.
Joh 13:12  So after He had washed their feet and had taken His garments and had reclined again, He said to them, Do you know what I have done to you?
Joh 13:13  You call Me the Teacher, and Lord, and you say well, for I AM.
Joh 13:14  If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Joh 13:16  Truly, truly, I say to you, A servant is not greater than his master, neither is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
Joh 13:17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Joh 13:18  I do not speak of you all; I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.”

When one is washed by the Lamb of God, what are they washed with?

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

We are washed with the blood of the Lamb which baths our bodies, but we are always in need of the washing of our walks!

However, not everyone’s walks are cleaned with water! Let us examine ourselves.

What is Jesus really focused on with this story? Didn’t He just wash all the disciples’ feet? Yes, He did. However, it goes on to tell us “you are not all clean”. He knew Judas was going to betray Him, and by way of the sum of thy Word, we know that all the disciples betrayed Christ.

Jesus is speaking DIRECTLY to the “heart of the matter”. It is our HEARTS AND MIND, from which our WORKS and WALKS proceed, as planted by God the Father, which need to be cleansed!

Notice how many times the priests had to wash their hands and their feet: every time they go into the tabernacle! How often do our hands – our work – and our feet – our walk – need to be cleaned and washed?

Here is another story that directly connects this spiritual concept:

Luk 7:37  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luk 7:38  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luk 7:39  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Luk 7:40  And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luk 7:41  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luk 7:43  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luk 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luk 7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luk 7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luk 7:49  And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luk 7:50  And he said to the woman, THY FAITH HAS SAVED THEE; go in peace.

“Thy faith has saved thee”. Wow! Where do we get faith? It is a gift of God. Therefore, it is always all of Christ and nothing of us; yet, we are included in this whole process.

“For she loved much” is nestled again right in the middle of this story which happens to be centered on the washing of the feet of Christ.

What then, does water, feet, hands, love, faith, “the order of things”, blood and sacrifice have to do with the brass laver sitting OUTSIDE the tabernacle but WITHIN THE COURT?

There was once a very wise king named Solomon. Since we are talking about priests and their role in washing their hands and feet that they die not, what did Solomon do with this laver when he built the temple after the model of the tabernacle and the court?

1Ki 7:22  And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.
1Ki 7:23  And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
1Ki 7:24  And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.
1Ki 7:25  It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
1Ki 7:26  And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.

We can confirm that this “molten sea” is definitely the same example of WATER in the laver sitting outside the tabernacle, but in the court, we can read 2 Chronicles.

2Ch 4:2  Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2Ch 4:3  And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
2Ch 4:4  It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
2Ch 4:5  And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
2Ch 4:6  He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

So, this “molten sea” is the “brass laver” from which only the priests could wash in. Only, this molten sea was constructed on a much more grander scale than the humble tabernacle we rea about in Exodus 30.

Why is it important that we connect this “molten sea” to the brass laver that only the priest can wash in? I’m glad you asked!

Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

I dare say that the only priests capable of going into the tabernacle are those who has been called, chosen and faithful to go PAST the brass laver INTO the tabernacle where the HIGH priest has already gone. Jesus Christ is the Way which has already been laid for us.

The molten sea that Solomon built was a symbol of the sea of glass which is ONLY for those who are caused to sit around the throne of God.

This paints a very keen word picture because “don’t you know that the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU?

Your flesh is OUTSIDE the kingdom of God, but in the center of all of this is the KINGDOM of God. The connecting functions of the FLESH being used to be BURNT up, but being the CHANNEL from which God is working all things after the counsel of His own will, allows us to see WHY the brass laver is in the COURT, but LEADS to and MUST be used in order to ENTER the tabernacle.

Where do we come from if not from the sea of humanity? However, coming from the sea of humanity connects us to each other to be able to know where we have been so that we can then sing “the song of the Lord”.

Exo 15:1  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo 15:2  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exo 15:3  The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo 15:4  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

See? the “sea” is used to cast all that is the flesh into it so that it cannot enter into the tabernacle of God, His habitation.

We are His temple now, and when we wash our hands and our feet, we are able to stand on the sea of glass, the molten sea being a type and shadow of it, so that we can sing with our mouths the praises of the Lord while harping on our harps.

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The kings and priests shall REIGN on the EARTH! Oh earth, earth, earth do you hear the Word of the Lord telling you who you are to Him?

Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and NO MAN could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Why is it these “many voices” can sing with their harps a new song? They are redeemed from the EARTH. The priests in the old testament washed their hands and feed, their works and walk, with the Word, but the thing they did not do was WASH ONE ANOTHER’S works and walks!

What am I saying? Is that blasphemy? Remember, washing of water BY THE WORD is telling us that we WASH Christ by WASHING the feet of others. How do we do this? We supply the water (tears in type) which comes from within us (our Head) and give it to others. We supply the Word and inspiration which comes from our Lord and is imparted to us.

What is the result of this as it pertains to the brass laver?

Rev 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Rev 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Rev 15:4  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

“Thy judgments are made manifest” and they come via those whom God has made His kings and priests. They come via those, because they have been redeemed from the earth to pour out the seven plagues upon the earth.

They do this to themselves and to OTHERS when the Word of God is preached and shared!

Notice in verses 15:2 that the sea of glass is mentioned first and then “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened”.

Rev 15:5  And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Rev 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The seven plagues must be fulfilled in the lives of priests and kings. Once this happens, the priests can continuously do the work of the tabernacle “in the court”, but the kings and priests must continuously re-wash their hands and feet in the brass laver so that they do not die.

Starting with the priesthood, being added to by King Solomon and finalized in the four beasts and elders around the throne of God, we can see the progression of the need to wash our walks and works on a daily basis so that we remain faithful to the work the Lord has called us to. Judgment must begin at the house of God, and when it does, we will truly be singing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb for ourselves and with one another.

It takes a lot of faith to do what God says to do and to desire that judgment comes to us. It’s a good thing we do not need to worry whether we have faith or not of our ownselves since it is the Lord alone who can give us faith to face His judgments. However, we can and should ask for more faith when we know that we need it. The Lord will answer us in His own way and timing.