Published on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 20:40 | Written by Vernon Gillispie | | | Hits: 7355
To some people, perhaps many, the regulations in scripture regarding the bathing of the priests and the constant washing of their hands and feet may seem confusing and pointless. However, these commands and ceremonies had both an important symbolic meaning as well as a very practical value.
We will look at the practical value first:
10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes. Ex 19:10; NIV (italics mine).
17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash the inner parts and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. Ex 29:17; NIV (italics mine).
28 Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean till evening. They are unclean for you.
29 "'Of the animals that move about on the ground, these are unclean for you: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard.
Lev. 11:28-29; NIV (italics mine).
We see here that the Lord required that the people wash their clothing. Why? This was just before the Lord was to appear before them at Mt. Sinai. The people would all be crowded closely together in great numbers, many thousands if not millions. As a practical matter a bit of hygiene would make the experience more pleasant and could very well help avoid the spread of disease.
We also see here that they are instructed to wash the flesh of the ram after it was slaughtered prior to putting it on the fire of the altar. We do that today because we know that disease such as salmonella and E coli can cause serious, even fatal illness. They were warned not to pick up carcasses of dead animals and to avoid eating weasels, rats and great lizards. This makes perfect sense. They carry potential for spreading diseases.
The Lord commanded that Aaron and his sons be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and bathed. This had the practical effect of teaching hygiene by example. What is good for the leaders is good for the followers.
Now let us consider the symbolic value of these commands.
Requiring bathing prior to entering into God's presence shows a considerate and respectful attitude. Most of us today bathe and clean up a bit before going out in public, to a dinner party, or business meeting. We would certainly do so if we were invited to the White House so it was only reasonable to clean up before going into the presence of God. This was symbolic of cleaning off the filth of the world. The Laver was a symbol of God's Word and the water symbolized the Holy Spirit.
Cleaning the filth and blood from the animal parts to be placed on the altar is also a matter of respect. To offer to God something unclean does not honor Him. Those who do not respect or honor Him surely will not obey Him.
Refraining from eating certain things also had a symbolic as well as a practical benefit. God had indicated that certain animals, birds and creatures were to be treated as unclean. We've already discussed the practical aspects of this since there were health risks involved especially if they were not properly prepared and cooked thoroughly. First there is the issue of obedience to God's command. Then, symbolically, it would not be proper to put the unclean into the dwelling place of God.
Category: Tabernacle
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