Only the priests could enter the Tabernacle itself, but they could not enter without washing at the Laver. The Laver of brass was a large, shallow bowl in which clean water was kept continually.

The Laver was made from the brass "mirrors" called "looking-glasses," which were melted down and made into the Laver. These highly-polished, brass-looking glasses were prized by the women of Israel, but they gave them freely for the service of the Lord.

What is the Laver a type of? It is a type of the Word of God. The Word of God is our "looking-glass." As we read God's Word and meditate, with an obedient heart, God shows us the things in our life that are not pleasing to Him. As we see our need of cleansing, we confess our sins and turn from them, and we are "washed."

Though the priests had the right to enter the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, they dared not do so without washing. God said, "When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not…" (Exodus 30:20)

Actually there were two distinct washings of the priests. On the day of their consecration, the priests were brought to the door of the Tabernacle and washed all over with water by Moses. No holy garments were put on them until they were washed all over. This washing was performed for them by another; they had no hand in it. This act was never repeated throughout their lives.

What does this speak of? This speaks of our new birth—"the washing of regeneration." When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are "washed" from all our sins, we are born again spiritually into the family of God. This is all done for us by God, and it need never be repeated.

The priests, now cleansed and consecrated, could enter the Tabernacle and have sweet communion with God. The Holy Place was now their "home." But, as they went forth to serve God's people, their hands and feet got dirty. They had to go to the Laver daily for cleansing. And we must go daily to the "laver" of God's Word for cleansing. The Bible says,

"Wherewithal [how] shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Your Word." Psalm 119:9

Dear child of God, do you know that you are a "priest"? Did you realize that, the moment you trusted Christ as your Savior, you were consecrated as a priest of God? Yes, this is true! The Bible says, "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).

As priests of God we have the right to enter the Tabernacle. Indeed, it is now our "home." But remember, no unclean priest could enter the Holy Place. Aaron and his sons were told to wash before entering the Holy Place "lest they die." They had to wash at the Laver daily. Unless we "wash at the Laver daily," we die also. To what? We die to fellowship with God.

John chapter 13 describes the last supper Jesus had with His beloved disciples before He went to the cross. After the supper, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, laid aside His outer garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

Jesus, who was "God manifest in the flesh," took the place of a servant, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples. What was He doing? He was teaching them that they must be cleansed daily from the defilement of sin in order to have fellowship with Him. He was fulfilling the type of the Brazen Laver—cleansing His disciples.

When He came to Simon Peter, Peter said, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I wash you not, you have no part with Me."

Consider this: Peter was a disciple—forgiven, saved. For Him the sin question was settled. But what about his daily walk? We are defiled daily as we walk in this sinful world. Regarding daily cleansing, Jesus said to Peter, "If I wash you not, you have no part with Me"—in fellowship.

The Brazen Altar takes care of the sin question. We are God's forgiven-forever children. But we must have daily cleansing if we are to have fellowship with a Holy God.

If you are not spending time alone with God each day, in prayer and the study of His Word, do you wonder why you have so little power, why your testimony is weak, and why your prayers are not answered? The reason is that you are not coming to God for cleansing and turning away from your sins.

Precious believer, beloved of God, do not stay at the Brazen Altar. Go to the Laver for daily cleansing! If you are not having a daily Quiet time with God, start doing so immediately. Set aside time to be alone with God for the reading of His Word and for prayer.

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