Read to Read …Again
January 30
Daily Reading: Exodus 36-38
Exodus 38:8
And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
What will a person willingly give up for their god? The addict will give up money, reputation, health, anything for another fix from their substance of choice. The lover of money will give up relationships, reputation, time, anything for just a few more dollars gained, rightly or otherwise. That which a person would give all for indicates their god.
In the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings of Israel, the devout women gave their mirrors for the Lord’s use. Moses is clear to point out that the laver was made of brass that came from the “lookingglasses” of the women assembling. These were not just any women, or all the women, but these were the women who continually assembled at the door of the tabernacle. They gave of that which was probably their most prized possession, their mirrors. In those days mirrors were not made of glass like they are today; they were made up of very fine polished brass, these were very expensive and were possessions of wealth. They counted the tabernacle more important than their appearance. They willingly gave these to their God.
From this brass the laver was formed. The laver was a vessel containing water that was prominently placed in the tabernacle. Entering into the gate going west to east, the first piece of furniture was the altar, next came the laver. Every day, upon entering the priest would stop at the laver and wash their hands and feet before entering into the tent of the tabernacle. This is a picture of the continual need for believers in Christ to be cleansed from their daily sins. After all, Jesus taught us to pray daily for the forgiveness of the sins of our life. This is a different washing than found in Exodus 29:4, that was a one-time washing that pictured the baptism of the believer. The washing at the laver pictures the daily washing or cleansing of sin through prayers of forgiveness.
Interestingly enough, the laver being formed from the lookingglasses probably had a reflective quality. As the priest would look into the laver they would see themselves, just like believers do today when they look into the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). Not only does the Word of God wash God’s children, it also reveals the sin in their lives. The laver had no covering, which is a reminder that God’s washing is always available. Also, there is nowhere in Scripture that dimensions are given for the laver which conveys the unlimited provision for the cleansing of sin.
These women made a good investment. They gave their mirrors to their God. Would a woman today give their one and only mirror, they were rare in those days, to God knowing they may never have another one? Would a man give his most precious of items freely? For those who have, or will, you have a promise found in Matthew 19:27-29. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Now, that’s a sound investment.
William T. Howe Ph.D.
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