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assembling is revealed in all its hideousness by a reference to I Sam. 2: 22. The margin
of The Companion Bible very gently comments on the word "assembling" in
Exod. 38: 8: "doing service, or worshipping according to Egyptian practice." By
using the mirrors, therefore, for the construction of the laver, this practice was abolished.
It is not for us to enlarge upon immorality. The teaching of "that woman Jezebel" is
associated with what is false worship right down the ages, and Babylon is well called,
"the Mother of Harlots". It is common knowledge that many of the temples of Astarte or
Venus were famous (or rather infamous) for the practice of the same uncleanness. The
brazen mirrors of these women, which possibly symbolized their sensual vanity, were
confiscated, and from the metal thus acquired the laver "to worship withal" was made.
Three witnesses, therefore, to human failure, in close association with divine worship,
were ever before the eyes of Israel:--
1.
The silver sockets made of their ransom money, telling of their need of atonement.
2.
The brass covering of the altar, as "a sign" and "a memorial" to all that they stood in
need of a true Priest whose offering should be acceptable before the Lord.
3.
The brazen laver, a standing witness against all uncleanness, and to the utmost need
for care lest the flesh, or earthly beauty, should intrude into that which after all is
alone spiritual.
It comes as a shock to the lover of Art, to learn that, lovely as old stained glass may
be, ravishing as some Gothic Cathedrals truly are, yet that all this beauty is merely upon
the natural or soul-plane, and cannot enter into the worship of God Who is Spirit. Lovers
of music also need to remember that the delights of harmony and the soul-exalting strains
of beautiful music rise no higher than this self-same plane. God looks for the "ornament"
of a meek and quiet spirit, and the "adorning" of the doctrine of God our Saviour. He
listens for the "melody" of hearts, and the "songs" of thanksgiving that may at times
escape even from the "inmost prison".
The emphasis upon cleansing.
In an Eastern land, where the temperature is high, where sandals are worn, and where
food is eaten with the fingers, constant washing would be necessary for cleanliness and
health alone, but in addition to this we find (in the commandments of the law) washings
of persons, sacrifices, articles, and buildings at every turn. Before Aaron and his sons
were invested with the priestly robes, they were washed with water (Lev. 8: 6). Before
Israel received the law from Mount Sinai, both their persons and their clothing were
washed (Exod. 19: 10-15). No priest was suffered to approach the altar of God, on pain
of death, without washing both hands and feet (Exod. 30: 19, 20), and to this the
Psalmist refers when he says: "I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass
Thine altar" (Psa. 26: 6).
Uncleanness could be contracted not only in the ordinary course of life and nature, but
in several ways that had something of a ceremonial and typical character. Lev. 12:-15:
details a series.