MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Exodus 30:17-21
THE TRUE WASHING
This priestly washing in the Temple symbolised certain great truths to which we shall do well if we take heed.
I. The true washing is Divine. Aaron and his sons were to wash themselves in this brazen laver in the Tabernacle. They were not to wash themselves in their own homes, the washing was to be in the sanctuary of God. Self-purification will not do. We cannot cleanse ourselves from the defilements of sin. Sin is not skin deep, as many seem to suppose, and to be washed away by the touch of our palm; the stains of evil are deep and dark in our nature, and only the Divine Cleanser can purge them away. “For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord God” (Jeremiah 2:22). “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:8). The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to purify a sinful world, and there is no real and abiding efficacy in any other method (Psalms 51:2-7).
II. The true washing is spiritual. It is true that Aaron washed only his hands and feet, but we should forget the whole genius of the Mosaic dispensation if we were to overlook the spiritual significance of this rite. The true purification is not material. Many social reformers think to purify society by instituting certain political and physical improvements. They think—
“That washing seven times in the ‘People’s Baths’
Is sovereign for a people’s leprosy,
Still leaving out the essential prophet’s word
That comes in power.”
The true purification is not ceremonial. Baptismal regeneration is more mistaken than a merely superficial political regeneration is. The water in the Church’s font possesses no magic efficacy to wash away sin. The true purification is that of the soul. “O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved” (Jeremiah 4:14). This is the true purification. The cleansing of the heart through the truth and grace of Christ (John 15:3; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 1:22). Let us not rest in a mere social purity (Titus 3:5). Let us not rest in a mere ecclesiastical purity (John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21). Let Christ cleanse our spirit and life.
“Wash me, and make me thus Thine own,
Wash me, and mine Thou art;
Wash me, but not my feet alone,
My hands, my head, my heart.”
III. This true washing is essential. “That they die not.” This interior and divine purity is indispensable. Without it we cannot enter into fellowship and communion with God; without it we cannot enter heaven (Revelation 7:13-15). In the blood of the Lamb we must make our raiment white, and by constant washing there, keep it white. Naaman had to wash in Jordan “seven times,” and so must we come again and again to the great fountain of purification in Jesus Christ.
ILLUSTRATIONS
BY
REV. WILLIAM ADAMSON
Sacrificial Speech! Exodus 30:1-38.
(1.) No student of the Bible needs to be reminded that by the complicated and long protracted series of events which preceded, accompanied, and followed the Exodus from Egypt, the essential doctrine of Gospel truth and grace are distinctly made known. By a stupendous array of symbolic acts and facts they are most emphatically confirmed and illustrated.
(2.) Thomson remarks that what is more pertinent, if possible, is that the record of them is so guided as to suggest and evolve the very best words, figures, and phrases by which these fundamental doctrines can be set forth. This is equally true of the words and ideas in this chapter of Exodus, as of the paschal lamb in Egypt, or the smiting of the rock in Horeb.
(3.) The symbolic acts and facts, it has been wisely asserted, in connection with the typical institutions, rites, and ceremonies of the Mosaic economy, were designed to permeate, and did permeate, the entire religious consciousness of the Hebrews. They thus gave birth to spiritual ideas and emotions wholly peculiar, and to corresponding formulas by which to give expression to them.
“I saw a Moslem work upon his shroud alone,
With earnest care, even as the silkworms weave their own,
When with that sacred Script it was filled from side to side,
He wrapt it round his body, and in calmness died.”
—Oriental.
Laver-Lessons! Exodus 30:18-21.
(1.) Water! Exodus 30:18. In emblem of the Holy Spirit. Law says that it is a figure of the precious blood of Christ here. No doubt the laver itself is a vivid type of Christ; but the water seems rather to symbolise the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e., the Holy Spirit in Him.
(2.) Washing! Exodus 30:19. The cleansing power of Divine Grace prepares the way for the Christian priesthood of all who are “kings and priests unto God.” See Ezekiel 36:25; John 3; Titus 3:15; also in Revelation 20; the pure river of the Water of Life. Jordan and Naaman; Jesus at Bethabara; Ethiopian Eunuch near Gaza.
(3.) Worship! Exodus 30:20. A strict command was issued that no priest should touch the brazen altar, or pass the tabernacle door, until his hands and feet had been washed. The Rabbis and Pharisees were most punctilious in their temple arrangements on this point.
(4.) Witness! Exodus 30:21. Believers are to minister a lifelong service to the Lord; and to engage in this worship acceptably, they must be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Their hands and feet, i.e., their working and walking with God, must be cleansed from earth’s impurities. God has provided the cleansing medium: “Wash you, make you clean.”
“Let all who hold this faith and hope
In holy deeds abound;
Thus faith approves itself sincere;
By active virtue crowned.”