EXODUS LESSON 52

    This lesson will pick up in Exodus 30:17  "And the LORD spake unto
Moses, saying,"  Exodus 30:18 "Thou shalt also make a laver [of]
brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to wash [withal]: and thou shalt
put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and
thou shalt put water therein."

    This altar was to be in the outer court. This was not to be inside
the tabernacle. Nothing made of brass could be in the Holy Place or
the Holy of Holies. This laver not only was made of brass but was on a
stand of brass, as well.  This laver had a number of physical uses.
One of which was every time Aaron or his sons went into the Holy
Place, they were to be washed before they entered. They were to wash
their hands and feet on penalty of death before they entered the Holy
Place. This was not an option. This was mandatory.  The animals had to
be washed, as well. This water in this basin was to be kept fresh and
full at all times. The spiritual meaning of this laver could certainly
be baptism; because after repentance at the brazen altar, certainly
comes the washing of baptism.

    Exodus 30:19 "For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and
their feet thereat:"  Exodus 30:20 "When they go into the tabernacle
of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or
when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by
fire unto the LORD:"  Exodus 30:21 "So they shall wash their hands and
their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to
them, [even] to him and to his seed throughout their generations."

    We see, here, that the walk of the priests had to be clean, and
everything they put their hands to, as well, must be clean.  It was a very
serious thing to go in to minister to God, unless the priest was clean
in every way.  This had to do with the clean life God requires His
ministers to lead. This not only applied to then, but to now, as well.

    Exodus 30:22  "Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Exodus 30:23 "Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh
five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two
hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and
fifty [shekels]," Exodus 30:24 "And of cassia five hundred [shekels],
after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:"  Exodus
30:25 "And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment
compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy
anointing oil."

    We see that this was a special oil made for use in the temple;
however, no one was to be anointed with this oil but the high priest
and the priests.  This was not to be taken lightly, but was to be
weighed up specifically.  It was not only to be made of these specific
things, but, also, in the specific portions given.  This oil was holy
unto the Lord.  An apothecary was like a modern druggist.  He measured
specifically the ingredients.  This holy ointment would be used to
anoint the priests.  These spices that were mixed to make this holy
oil were rare.  Most of them came from trees and their leaves, while
one came from reeds.  They gave off a sweet perfume.  Olive oil
throughout the Bible spiritually means the Holy Spirit.  If we are to
minister for God, I believe it is of utmost importance to be baptized
in the Holy Spirit.  We will truly be a sweet smell to the Lord, when
we are anointed to do His will.

    Exodus 30:26 "And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the
congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,"  Exodus 30:27
"And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his
vessels, and the altar of incense,"  Exodus 30:28 "And the altar of
burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot."
Exodus 30:29 "And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most
holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy."

    This anointing of this furniture and articles of the tabernacle
and the outer court showed that God had set them aside for holy use
only.  They were dedicated to God and should be used for godly service
only.  This is one of the reasons that I do not like to see the
sanctuary in the church used for other things. This should be a
separated place, not a place for any worldly things. The things like
the piano in church, I believe, should not be used any more to play
the world's music. The sanctuary should be a holy, separated place.

    Exodus 30:30 "And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and
consecrate them, that [they] may minister unto me in the priest's
office."

    We need to take note again, here, that all Christians have been
made priests of God and have been anointed with the blessed Holy
Spirit of God.  We are a set aside people dedicated to the service of
God.  We read in Revelation 1:6 that Jesus, our high priest, has made
us priests unto God and His Father.  Revelation 1:6 "And hath made us
kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen." You see, Jesus (our High Priest)
has purchased us with His blood and set us aside for Him.  We see in
Hebrews 3:1, that Jesus Christ is our High Priest.  "Wherefore, holy
brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and
High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;".

    Exodus 30:31 "And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel,
saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your
generations." Exodus 30:32 "Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured,
neither shall ye make [any other] like it, after the composition of
it: it [is] holy, [and] it shall be holy unto you."

    We see from the statement above about the flesh, that this was of
 the Spirit.  This was a spiritual anointing of God.  This reminds me
 of the man in the New Testament who tried to buy the Holy Spirit of
 God, but the things of the Spirit cannot be purchased. The things of
 the Spirit are anointings from God, not man.  If you would like to
 read more about this, you may find it in Acts 8:15-24.

    Exodus 30:33 "Whosoever compoundeth [any] like it, or whosoever
putteth [any] of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his
people."

    This is so serious. People should not play around with the things
of the Spirit. The things of the Spirit should not be taught or sold.
The things of the Spirit are gifts from God to those that He has
chosen to give them to. They are given to people to minister with, not
for self-satisfaction. You may read why the gifts of the Spirit are
poured out on certain people in Acts 2, beginning with verse 17.

    Exodus 30:34  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet
spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; [these] sweet spices with
pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like [weight]:"  Exodus
30:35 "And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of
the apothecary, tempered together, pure [and] holy:"

    We have already studied  in a previous lesson, how serious it would be 
to burn strange incense. This, too, is important to get it mixed
in exacting proportions. Remember we spoke earlier of this incense as
compared with the prayers of the Christians.  It, also, is very
important to pray with reverence expecting from God and always in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  That is our formula that must be
exact, as well. The Lord gave us the formula to use, when He taught
the disciples how to pray.  He said, after this manner pray ye.  In
St. John 14:14 we read, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will
do it."  There is a formula.  It must be asked in Jesus' name.

    Exodus 30:36 "And thou shalt beat [some] of it very small, and put
of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation,
where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy."

    This was to be outside the curtain, but very close to the presence
 of God.  This was to be handy, ready at all times to be used.  We are
 told to be instant in season and out in II Timothy 4:2, "Preach the
 word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
 with all longsuffering and doctrine." You see, we are to be ready all
 the time just like this incense.  We read in James 5:16, "Confess
 your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
 healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
 much."

    Exodus 30:37 "And [as for] the perfume which thou shalt make, ye
shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it
shall be unto thee holy for the LORD." Exodus 30:38 "Whosoever shall
make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his
people."

    Here, again, we see the importance of praying. Our prayers are so
important to God that they are stored in heaven. I will close this
Bible study with two Scriptures which tell what these odors were and
where they were stored.  Revelation 5:8, "And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the
Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,
which are the prayers of saints." Revelation 8: 3-4, "And another
angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there
was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the
prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne."  V-4, "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the
prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's
hand."  This leaves no doubt what the incense was.

                             Notes















































                          Exodus 52 Questions


1.  What would the laver be made of?
2.  Where was it to be placed?
3.  What was the stand holding the laver made of?
4.  What was the laver used for?
5.  What 2 parts of their body had to be washed before they came into
    the holy place?
6.  What did this indicate?
7.  What is the spiritual meaning of this laver?
8.  What would happen if they go in without washing?
9.  Who was the only one who could be anointed with this special oil?
10. What was an apothecary like?
11. If we are to minister for God, what is almost imperative to do?
12. Name the things in the temple that were to be anointed.
13. What does anointing things in the tabernacle mean?
14. Our High Priest is Jesus, what are we Christians?
15. This oil shall not be poured on man's ----------.
16. The things of the Spirit are ------from ----------.
17. What would happen to someone who compounds this, other than for the
    temple?
18. The things of the Spirit should not be ------- or------------.
19. What was the perfume of incense made of besides the spices?
20. When we pray, what is the most important thing to remember to do?
21. What are we taught in II Timothy 4:2?
22. What kind of prayer availeth much?
23. What are the prayers of saints in heaven?