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The solemn numbering of Israel with the accompanying emphasis upon atonement
would impress upon them the truth concerning both their own shortcomings and the
Lord's grace.
The depths of love were sounded when the spotless Son of God was "numbered with
the transgressors". Whenever we think of that, the only numbering that matters to us is
that we have been numbered with His saints, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
#69.
The brazen laver (Exod. 30: 17-21).
pp. 117 - 122
Immediately following the record of the atonement money, we have the command to
make "a laver of brass to wash withal", and upon examination we discover that there is a
closer connection between the two statements than appears on the surface.
Before proceeding to this closer study we would allude to yet a third item, which will
be found to add one more example of a similar nature: we refer to the brazen altar.
When Korah, Dathan and Abiram died for their sin, we learn that:--
"Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had
offered; and they were made plates for a covering of the altar; to be a memorial unto the
children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer
incense before the Lord" (Numb. 16: 39, 40).
This was done at the commandment of the Lord, Who also said: "They shall be a sign
unto the children of Israel" (verse 38).
We have, therefore, the brazen altar, closely associated with the sign and memorial of
Korah's sin; we have the two silver sockets of the tabernacle made of the atonement
money paid by every Israelite over twenty years of age for the ransom of his soul, and
now we are to find that the brazen laver is connected with another sinful association with
the true worship of God.
Immediately following the record of the making of the altar of brass in Exod. 38:,
we read:--
"And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of
the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation" (Exod. 38: 8).
At first sight we are inclined to look upon this as a free-will offering to the Lord given
by a company of godly women, but the note in the margin, "Heb. assembling by troops,
as I Sam. 2: 22", sets one thinking. To speak of women "assembling by troops" at the
door of the tabernacle has an unpleasant sound, and the dreadful purpose of their