The bronze laver was an important fixture in the tabernacle and later the temple. It was a large bronze basin used by the priests to wash themselves before offering sacrifices or entering the Holy Place (Exodus 30:18-21). Here are some key points about the significance and purpose of the bronze laver:
Ceremonial Cleansing
The laver was located between the bronze altar and the entrance to the Holy Place. It was used by the priests to ceremonially wash their hands and feet before performing their duties or making sacrifices (Exodus 40:30-32). This cleansing ritual signified that they were leaving behind the dirt and impurities of the outside world and purifying themselves to enter God’s presence. The laver provided the means for the priests to be ritually purified.
Necessity of Cleansing
The placement of the laver between the altar of sacrifice and the Holy Place underscored the necessity of cleansing before approaching God. The sacrifice made at the bronze altar dealt with sin, but cleansing at the laver was still required. This ritual cleansing reminded the priests that even after making atonement for sin, they were still sinners who needed to be purified before entering the holy presence of God (Isaiah 64:6).
Daily Use
The priests were required to wash at the laver every time they entered the Holy Place or made an offering. This meant they used the laver daily and repeatedly. This constant need for cleansing impressed upon them their own sinfulness and need for purity before God. Each washing was a tangible reminder of their inadequacy before the holy God.
Only Water
The laver contained only regular water for washing. Unlike the bronze altar which utilized blood sacrifices, the laver cleansed with simple water. This illustrated that God’s desire for cleanliness and purity could be accomplished through the daily cleansing of confession and repentance. The priests’ consistent need for cleansing found provision through the laver’s perpetual supply of water.
Mirrors the Word
The polished bronze surface of the laver would have acted as a mirror in which the priests could see themselves. As they washed and gazed at their reflection, they were reminded to examine their inward lives for impurity just as they washed their outward bodies. In this way, the laver mirrored the convicting and cleansing work of God’s Word (James 1:23-24).
Points to Christ
Several aspects of the laver’s function point forward to the ministry of Christ. Just as the priests looked to the laver to cleanse themselves externally, believers must look to Christ to cleanse them spiritually through his shed blood (1 John 1:7). Christ spiritually cleanses believers into a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). The water of the laver foreshadowed Christ’s living water (John 4:10, 13:8).
Vessel of Service
The priests had to cleanse themselves at the laver before undertaking any service in the tabernacle. Likewise, believers who want to serve Christ effectively must first be cleansed by him from sin (2 Timothy 2:21). Standing at the laver was a prerequisite for the priests’ ministry. Christ’s cleansing work enables believers’ service.
Emphasized Holiness
The laver’s cleansing rituals continually emphasized that God’s presence and service require absolute purity and holiness. Even after offering sacrifices, the priests still had to purify themselves at the laver, illustrating no one is without sin. As the laver made possible the priests’ duties, Christ’s provision makes possible believers’ holiness (Titus 2:14).
Foreshadowed Regeneration
The priests’ cleansing ritual at the laver was an outward act that represented an inward spiritual reality. Their consistent need for cleansing foreshadowed the believer’s need for regeneration through faith in Christ (Titus 3:5). Just as the priests approached the laver daily, believers must regularly approach Christ to wash away their sin.
Prepared for Service
The priests had to use the laver before entering the Holy Place or making sacrifices at the altar. Washing at the laver equipped them for service by purifying them externally and internally. Likewise, Christ cleanses believers so they can serve God. Believers are saved to serve and must be cleansed by Christ daily in preparation.
Taught Dependence
By continually washing at the laver before undertaking any duties, the priests were reminded of their dependence on God’s cleansing provision. They could not serve acceptably based on their own merit but had to avail themselves of the laver’s waters. This ritual ingrained dependence and drew attention to God’s provision for purity.
Promoted Accountability
The requirement to wash at the laver before service promoted accountability among the priests to maintain purity. Those who bypass the cleansing Christ offers and attempt to serve God while willfully harboring sin are rebelling against His standard of holiness. The laver set a high benchmark.
Prepared to Meet God
The laver was positioned between the altar of sacrifice and the Holy Place where God’s presence dwelled. The priests’ cleansing prepared them to encounter God’s presence in the Holy Place after making sacrifices for sin. Today believers are cleansed by Christ in order to commune with God without fear.
Foresahdowed Baptism
The laver’s cleansing rituals foreshadowed water baptism, an outward act representing the believer’s spiritual cleansing through faith in Christ. Baptism publicly signifies washing away the old life and rising to new life in Him. The laver rituals pictured this spiritual truth.
Illustrated Obedience
Although the priests may not have fully understood the significance of cleansing rituals, they demonstrated obedience to God by faithfully washing at the laver before service. Their obedience pictures believers’ faith in complying with Christ’s commands despite imperfect understanding.
Encouraged Discipline
Day after day, year after year, the priests would demonstrate discipline and commitment by assiduously washing themselves at the laver before undertaking service. Their discipline foreshadows the believer’s need to regularly, even daily, come to Christ for cleansing through Bible study, prayer, worship, etc.
Act of Consecration
The laver stood just outside the Tabernacle’s entrance, so washing in preparation to enter God’s presence was an act of reconsecration and focus. Believers must likewise regularly reconsecrate themselves through prayer, Scripture, meditation, etc. to meet with God.
Demonstrated Humility
Though the priests occupied an exalted role, they had to humble themselves and wash in the laver like common men before entering God’s presence. This act displayed humility. Believers also must humbly seek Christ’s cleansing despite position or achievements.
Picture of Repentance
The laver required the priests to physically wash as they spiritually examined their lives and repented of any impurity before service. Though outward washing, it represented the inward repentance believers are to regularly practice to remain in a state of readiness.
Place of Conviction
Approaching the laver was likely a sobering moment for the priests as they reflected on preparing their hearts rightly before entering God’s presence. The laver represents times of conviction believers feel about harbored sin when drawing near to Christ.
Provision for Restoration
If priests became defiled or distanced from God between services, the laver offered the means to be restored to purity through washing. No matter how the priests stumbled, provision was available. The laverthus displays Christ’s constant availability to restore repentant believers.
Fostered Thankfulness
The priests must have been thankful for the laver as the means of ceremonial cleansing required for acceptable service. Likewise, believers who comprehend Christ’s cleansing work for them should be filled with gratitude for His gracious and complete provision in saving them.
Regular Ritual
Washing at the laver was not a one-time act but a regular ritual performed over and over by the priests. In the same way, coming to Christ for cleansing is not just a single experience at conversion but a believer’s regular privilege and necessity.
Preparing to Serve
The whole purpose of washing at the laver was to prepare the priests for service in the tabernacle. Likewise, the believer’s cleansing by Christ has a purpose—to be equipped for fruitful service out of gratitude for salvation.
Daily Examination
Approaching the laver required self-examination from the priests concerning outward behaviors and inner motives to maintain purity. Daily self-examination leading to confession and repentance keeps believers cleansed for service.
Symbol of Dedication
By washing daily at the laver as ordained by God, the priests demonstrated their high level of dedication to His service. Their example calls believers to demonstrate dedication to serving Christ through obedience to His cleansing work.
Act of Obedience
The priests did not necessarily understand why cleansing rituals were required but obeyed based on faith in God’s commands. Believers also must exercise faith and obedience to pursue the Christian disciplines God prescribes, trusting His infinite wisdom.
Reaffirmation of Salvation
Just as the priests’ periodic washing reaffirmed their qualifications for service, believers’ regular acceptance of Christ’s cleansing reaffirms their salvation. They are reassured of being made spiritually clean by Him.
Fostered Alertness
Knowing they had to regularly wash at the laver kept the priests spiritually alert to maintain cleanliness before God. Similarly, remembering the need for frequent cleansing motivates believers toward an alert walk with Christ.
Act of Submission
The greatest High Priest, Jesus, demonstrated the epitome of submission by laying aside His rights, humbling Himself, and even going to the cross to provide cleansing for humanity. Coming to Christ in faith requires believers’ submission.
Point of Meditation
As the priests paused to wash at the laver, it was likely a point of meditation to prepare their hearts for ministry through reflection on God’s promises. Believers also need space for meditation as they come to Christ for cleansing.
Promoted Thoughtfulness
The deliberate action of traveling to the laver and washing promoted thoughtfulness in the priests concerning their spiritual condition. Believers also grow in thoughtfulness about their walk with God through regular cleansing disciplines.
Required Change of Garments
Before approaching the laver, priests removed soiled garments; after cleansing, they put on clean ones. This pictured the new life believers receive through Christ (Colossians 3:12-14). Daily cleansing requires change.
Provided Assurance
The constant availability of water at the laver provided assurance to the priests of being able to prepare for service after stumbling. Christ’s unlimited cleansing and grace supply assurance for repentant believers.
Planned by God
Every detail of the tabernacle, including the laver, was explicitly planned by God to teach spiritual truths. His sovereignty extended even to cleansing rituals. Believers must trust in God’s intentional plan of salvation through Christ.
Participation Required
While God provided the laver, the priests had to actively wash themselves – it required participation. Likewise, Christ alone provides cleansing, yet believers must actively receive it through faith and obedience.
Resulted in Blessing
When the priests faithfully cleansed themselves at the laver, they were blessed to enter God’s presence, receive revelation and represent the people. Likewise, believers who pursue Christ’s cleansing receive the blessed benefits of intimacy with God and empowerment to serve.
In summary, the bronze laver provided the means for ceremonial cleansing required for the priests’ service and foreshadowed the believer’s cleansing from Christ through regular confession, repentance and dependent faith in Him. Though the priests may not have grasped the full symbolism, the laver continually reminded them of humanity’s need for cleansing and God’s abundant provision.