The Tabernacle

by Dr. James Modlish

 

Lesson Three

THE BRAZEN ALTAR, THE LAVER
(Exodus 27:1-8; 30:17-21)

 

THE TABERNACLE HAD SEVEN ARTICLES OF FURNITURE:

TWO IN THE COURT - Brazen Altar, Laver..

THREE IN THE HOLY PLACE - Table of Showbread, Candlestick, Altar of Incense.

TWO IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES - Ark, and Mercy Seat.

SEVEN - The number of PERFECTION (perfect provision for believers). After we enter the Gate, there are SEVEN STEPS to the full and complete life of victory in Christ:

[1]. Brazen Altar - a picture of the cross (conversion).

[2]. Laver - Cleansing from sin (Separation, Daily Cleansing).

[3]. Table of Showbread - The place of fellowship, to be fed on Christ and the Word (Bible Reading).

[4]. Candlestick (or Lampstand) Lampstand) - The testimony of believers is nourished by the oil of the Holy Spirit testimony).

[5]. Altar of Incense - Prayer and Intercession of believers.

[6]. Ark - Full surrender of the believer (Surrender, Prayer).

[7]. Mercy Seat - Completer victory, rest and peace (Victory). 

I. THE BRAZEN ALTAR -

 

The Shadow of the Cross. "ALTAR" means 'to lift up' - The cross was a 'lifted up altar' (John 3:14; 12:32). It also means: "slaughter place", the place of sacrifice (Heb. 9:26; 10:4-12).

A. THE MATERIALS -

Made of shittim (acacia) wood, overlaid with brass, four horns, two staves, a grate, etc.

The only timber that could grow in the desert; was called 'incorruptible' wood because it was so enduring. It speaks for the incorruptible "without sin HUMANITY OF CHRIST.

Brass - (refers to judgment). Speaks of the DEITY OF JESUS, and as SON OF GOD he could endure that awful heat of God's judgment on sin. Christ is seen in THE ALTAR, and in THE SACRIFICE.

B. THE SIZE AND DESIGN -

Five by Five by Three cubits - The largest article of furniture.

All other articles could be put within its size - every future blessing for the believer is within the fold of Calvary.

Five cubits square - The number of death and grace, salvation is all of grace.

Foursquare - equal for all men "there is no difference".

Three cubits high - God's acceptance of Christ's sacrifice by raising him from the dead after three days.

Four horns - Horns were peculiar only to the altars of Israel.

The four corners of the earth (all men invited).

The sacrifices were bound to the horns because they were not willing (Rom. 12:1-2). Love bound Jesus to the cross, not nails (John 10:18).

C. POSITION -

Just within the Gate, accessible, unavoidable, stood at the "gate of repentance" (repentance is not salvation).

When a sinner comes to the place he realizes he is a sinner, he must not only have sorrow for sin and willing to turn his back on it, but come to the cross.

D. PURPOSE -

Upon the Brazen Altar the sacrifices were offered and consumed by fire.

See what the Law demanded (Ex. 20:24-26).

"The grate" was a network of brass (twisted or plaited) about half way down inside, under the "compass" or shelf around the top.

E. USE OF THE NUMBER FIVE -

[1]. FIVE UTENSILS (sin reduced to ashes).

        PANS, used to hold ashes.

        SHOVELS, for picking up the ashes.

        BASINS, hold the blood sacrifices (sometimes carried inside the tabernacle, sometimes poured out at the foot of the altar).

        FLESHHOOKS, to arrange the sacrifice on the altar.

        FIREPANS, or censers, to carry the fire to the altar.

[2]. FIVE ANIMALS as sacrifices -

LAMB, BULLOCK, GOAT, HEIFER, TURTLE DOVE.

[3]. FIVE OFFERINGS (from Leviticus): BURNT, MEAL, PEACE, SIN, TRESPASS.

F. OTHER DETAILS -

[1]. ASHES - Were not to be destroyed, but taken to a clean place (Lev. 6:10,11) and were used later in cleansing from defilement (Num. l9).

They were evidence that the sacrifice was wholly consumed by fire.

Here is a picture of Christ's body taken from the cross, and placed in a new tomb (clean place), but rose to cleanse sinners.

[2]. BLOOD - Was not to be used, but poured out at the bottom of the altar or sprinkled on the altar.

It was the 2nd evidence that the sacrifice had been made.

When Christ gave his life, He gave His all.

[3]. STAVES AND RINGS - The altar was portable, carried by two staves in four rings. The cross is to be carried throughout the wilderness of the world.

TWO STAVES - The two parts of the gospel (the death and resurrection), takes both to carry (tell) the story of the Gospel.

II. THE BRAZEN LAVER -

 

The Wash Basin (after salvation comes cleansing).

A. SIZE AND SHAPE -

The size and shape not given, signifying the unlimited daily cleansing in Christ; "his foot" on the base under the bowl.

The cleansing was not done IN the Laver, but AT the Laver, using water kept there (how water was poured out not told, spouts (?), etc.).

C. POSITION -

It stood between the Brazen Altar and the Tabernacle - a position of significance in what it portrays (the order is set, not changing).

Daily cleansing follows the cross (not before).

The priests washed their hands and feet at the Laver continually as they ministered at the Tabernacle (no floor in the Tabernacle, nor chair for sitting, priests on their feet constantly and in contact with defilement of the earth),

Hands speak of service, feet speak of conduct and walk.

D. ORIGIN -

The Laver was made from brass.

It was given as FREE-WILL OFFERINGS, but what are the gifts unless they cost us something (would these be a sacrifice?).

E. WATER -

For the WORD and the WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Word is our looking glass; from it God shows us the things in our lives that are not pleasing to Him; we need daily cleansing.

The Word reveals more:

See (James 1:23-25) being doers as well as hearers.

Solemn warning - (Exodus 30:21).

WASHED AND CLEAN FOR SERVICE!

-Page Navigation-

1. Introduction | 2. Outer Court | 3. Brazen Altar - Laver | 4. House of Blood | 5. Covers, Curtains | 6. The Furniture
7. Ark & Mercy Seat | 8. The Priesthood | 9. Contributions of The People | 10. The Glory of The Cloud