Friday, September 2, 2016

The Laver and the Water


The Laver and the Water
 
Our Bible Study teacher is taking us through a study of the Tent Tabernacle and I took notes in order to present a digest of her lesson.  She was emphasizing the Laver and the water

Every other piece of furniture in the Tabernacle had exact measurements, except the Laver.  There were no instructions how to carry it, no dimensions, only as to where it sat and it’s usage.

The Laver contained clean water for washing of the hands and feet of the Priests. 

The Laver is a representation of the Word of God as it cleanses us by the washing of the Word.

Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.

In the days of Noah, God sent judgment by water destroying all but Noah and his family.

1 Peter 3:20-22  The patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.  Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

The like figure of Baptism is a symbol of a changed life, representing death to sin, and raised to newness of Life in Christ Jesus.  It is a ritual of cleansing and a type of the Laver and a deeper relationship with God.

Matthew chapter three:  John the Baptist came preaching repentance and prophesied about a coming Messiah.  John recognized that Jesus was the Laver, and when Jesus came requesting to be baptized by him, John refused, saying I need to be baptized of you.  Matt 3:15-17  But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” 

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Here Jesus was confirmed as the Son of God.  Culture shunned him claiming he was illegitimate.  Jesus had been looked down upon, but here a Voice from Heaven validated and authenticated Jesus as God’s son.

The Religious leaders did not like John saying another is coming to wash away your sins. Their rejection of him did not stop John’s voice in the wilderness - -

John said:  Matt 3:12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John the apostle (not John the Baptist) Declared Jesus to be called the Word - -

John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

John continued to point out that Jesus was with God the Father and the Holy Spirit when the world was created. 

A Virgin conceived Jesus by the miracle of the Holy Spirit - - John 1:11 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

After Adam and Eve’s sin it was necessary for the blood sacrifice to atone for sin.  John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

As Jesus began his ministry, his first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding feast.  Nichodemus came to Jesus seeking truth.  Jesus told him, that except a man be born of the water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God

Titus chapter 3 demands that we be subject to rulers and be ready to do good works.  Take a firm stand, putting your foot down against evil.  Avoid foolishness and stay away from secret sins.

Titus 3:5 Takes us back to the place where we should be in Christ.  Washed continually.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, - -

We as believers are evidence of what God has done.