Exodus 27:1-8; 30:17-21
The brasen altar and the laver are
the 1st of 7 pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle. These 2
pieces are found in the court area whereas the other 5 are in the
Tabernacle proper (the holy place and the holy of holies).
The 7 pieces of furniture
show the 7 steps of victory in the Christian’ life through Jesus Christ:
1). The Brasen Altar- a picture of
the cross (salvation)
2). The Laver- cleansing of sin,
confession & forgiveness (separation)
3). The Table of Shewbread- a place
of fellowship & feeding (Bible reading)
4). The Candlestick- testimony of
believer and illumination of the Holy Spirit (Testimony)
5). The Altar of Incense- prayer and
worship
6). The Ark- full surrender of the
believer (covenant)
7). The Mercy Seat- complete
victory, rest and peace from God.
I). The
Brasen Altar: The shadow of the cross.
(Ex. 27:1-8)
"…and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Heb. 9:22
"No blood, no altar now,
The sacrifice is o’er;
No flame, no smoke, ascends on high;
The Lamb is slain no more!
But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains."
(Poem and picture by Geo C. Needham,
1879)
*Altar means to raise or lift up or
a place of sacrifice. The cross was a "lifted up altar" (Jn 3:14; 12:32).
It was also a place of sacrifice (Heb 9:26; 10:4-12).
A). The Materials:
1). Shittim wood overlain with brass.
Shittim wood represents the
incorruptible humanity of Jesus Christ.
Brass represents the strength of
Christ and his deity that could withstand the judgment of God on sin.
B). The Size and Design:
1). 5 by 5 by 3 cubits (7˝’x7˝’x4˝’).
It was the largest piece in the tabernacle. All of the other items could
be placed in this altar representing the fact that all future blessings of
the believer are within the fold of Calvary.
2). It was 5 cubits square. 5 being
the number of death
*It was foursquare. It was
equal on all sides. The salvation of God is equal on all sides for all
people!
*It was 3 cubits high. God raised Jesus after 3 days.
3). It had 4 horns on the 4 corners.
*Salvation is open to the
4 corners of the earth (to the Jew first and also to the Greek… Rom 1:16).
*The sacrifices were bound to the horns (Ps. 118:27) but Jesus
was only bound by His own will (Jn10:18). However we must daily bind our
flesh (Rom 12:1-2).
C). The 5’s of the Altar:
Exodus 27:3
5 Utensils:
1). Pans: used to carry the ashes
away (Lev. 6:10-11)
2). Shovels: used to remove the ashes or coals.
3). Basins: used to hold the blood, sometimes taken into the holy place
(atonement) other times poured at the foot of the altar.
4). Fleshhooks: used to arrange the sacrifice on the altar
5). Firepans: (censers) used to carry the coals or fire.
5 Animals for sacrifice:
Lamb, Bullock, Goat, Heifer,
Turtledove.
5 Offerings:
Burnt, Meat (or meal), Peace (or
wave), Sin, Trespass
D). Other Details:
1). The ashes were taken to a clean place (Lev. 6:10-11)
This depositing of the ashes speaks
of the body of Christ which was sacrificed for our sin and carried to a
new tomb (Mt 27:60)
2). The Altar had rings and
two staves with which it was to be carried as they moved. The altar
representing Calvary must be carried (the gospel) by two staves which are
:Jesus’ death and resurrection. Without both it cannot be carried!
3). The fire on this altar
was "ever burning" (Lev. 6:12-13). The salvation made possible at Calvary
is ever standing ready and waiting for those who would come to it’s fire
for forgiveness and atonement.
4). The fire was kindled by
God! (Lev. 9:24). Salvation is kindled by God and nothing can be added to
it. Remember Nadab and Abihu who offered "strange fire" (Lev 10:1-2).
5). The grate on which the
sacrifices were burned was half way down in the altar at the same height
as the mercy seat in the holy of holies. This speaks of the equality of
Jesus’ sacrifice and the mercy of God.
II). The
Laver: Sanctification of the Believer.
Ex 30:17-21
"The Laver stands. If earth-defiled,
Go, wash thy hands, thy feet;
And simply as a pardoned child,
Approach the mercy-seat;
Within the veil thy censer bring,
And burn sweet incense to the King."
A). Material:
1) The Laver was solid brass. It was made from the "looking glasses"
(mirrors) of the women who gave (Ex 38:8). These mirrors suggest pride or
vain glory which was set aside for the sake of cleanliness before God!
(That’s true sanctification).
2). It held water for washing.
Scripture teaches that the Word of God is our looking glass (James
1:23-25).
*It was this water that was used to
wash off the dirt and dust of the floor in the tabernacle. We need the
water of the Word to wash us from the defilement of our world. (John 15:3;
17:17; Eph. 5:26; Ps 119:9).
B). Size and Design:
1). Interestingly enough, these are not specified. At specific as God was
about all the other items of the tabernacle the Laver is not specified as
to the size or shape. This alone suggests the Word of God in our own life.
It is there for us to use as much as we will. It is limitless as to it’s
application and the form it can take in our life if we will only use it!
C). The Position of the Laver:
1). It stood between the Altar and the Tabernacle (holy place).
2) This position suggests that
cleansing follows the cross and not before. Holy/Holiness is found 84
times in the book of Leviticus. (Rom 12;1-2)
"The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter
3:21
3). At the Altar man was justified
from sin’s penalty, at the Laver man found cleansing from the daily walk
on the earth (the tabernacle had no floor). The priests had to constantly
wash as we must constantly wash with the water of the Word to keep from
being defiled by the world that we must walk in.
"Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."
Psalm 119:9
 John 10:9 I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture.
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