The Laver

Less is said, as far as details of construction are concerned, about the bronze Laver than any of the other six pieces of furniture. The size is not given. The way in which it was to be prepared for carrying is not described. Its base or "foot" was important but not set forth clearly.

The Laver was located "between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar," which seems to indicate that the Laver was placed directly in front of the door of the Tabernacle, between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the door of the Tabernacle.

The water in the Laver enabled the high priest and the other priests to wash their hands and their feet before they went into the Tabernacle to minister before the Lord. This reminds us of the words of Paul concerning the Church: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:26).

Scholars have differing ideas concerning the form of the Laver and the way it worked. As we have thought about this, two facts seem to stand out: first, when the Laver is mentioned, the foot (base) of the Laver is also mentioned, suggesting that there was something of special importance about the base; second, there were no receptacles in the Laver, no directions for covering or transporting it.

The Laver may have been a small basin of bronze placed on a bronze pedestal—too small to need receptacles and carrying poles, which might have made it look ridiculous if indeed it were of small size. Perhaps it was a low washbasin filled with water; and every time a priest washed it was picked up off the base, poured on the hands and feet of the priest, and then replaced on the base and refilled with water.

If this were the case, the Laver and its base may have been placed in the cloth of blue and carried on the frame with the small golden utensils of the Tabernacle. But, as seems more likely, it probably was placed on the purple cloth with the bronze utensils of the Altar of Burnt Offering and carried along with that altar.

The bronze Laver signifies the cleansing of the believer from the filth of the world, just as the blood of the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering signifies the remission of sin-guiltiness toward God.

The laver was fashioned from the mirrors of the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting (Exodus 38:8). The Word of God is a mirror in which we see our sin and self-will. As we view our sinful thoughts and deeds we are to confess them so that God may wash us in the blood of the cross and help us gain victory over each unclean area of our personality.

The Laver shows that the Christian must remain pure while he walks through this sinful world (John 17:15). In fact, all the elements and rituals of the Tabernacle of the Congregation emphasize to us that God expects us, while we are in the world, to live a life of holiness and dedication to Him (John 17:15). The Kingdom of God is a holy kingdom. Holiness is one of several principal messages of the Tabernacle.

To be continued.