Sanctification in the Wilderness and in the Word
Exodus 30:17–30 · James 1:22–25
📖 Scripture Reading
Exodus 30:17–21 (KJV)
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not…
James 1:22–25 (KJV)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass…
🔥 From the Altar to the Basin
In the Tabernacle out in the wilderness, God gave specific instructions. There was the brazen altar—where the blood was shed for sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Leviticus 17:11).
But between the altar and the inner sanctuary stood a second essential fixture: the laver. Made of polished brass and filled with water, it stood as a station for daily cleansing.
This was not about salvation—that was the purpose of the altar. The laver was for sanctification. The priests were already consecrated, but their hands and feet still got dirty. Before offering sacrifices or entering the Holy Place, they had to stop and wash—lest they die.
🪞 The Reflective Basin
Exodus 38:8 (KJV) tells us the laver was made “of the looking glasses of the women.” In that time, mirrors were crafted from polished bronze. So when the priests looked into the basin to wash, they also saw their reflection. It was a literal mirror—a place for examining one’s condition before entering God’s presence.
How profound: the very mirrors once used for personal appearance now became a tool for spiritual purification. Vanity surrendered to sanctity.
⚖️ Solomon’s Lavish Lavers
Later, in Solomon’s Temple, lavers were massive and many:
1 Kings 7:27 (KJV)
“And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.”
That’s about 6 feet square, and there were ten of them. Washing was continuous. Sacrifice was constant. But these were all symbols—temporary shadows pointing to the true cleansing that only Christ could bring.
💧 Washing for Today’s Priests
1 Peter 2:9 declares that we are now “a royal priesthood.” And like them, we are to be clean. Jesus, the once-for-all sacrifice, has secured our salvation. But sanctification—daily, honest cleansing—is still our ongoing responsibility.
The Word of God is our laver. And it is still a mirror.
🪞 James’ Mirror: Reflections from the Word
James compares the Word to a mirror. But not all reflections are holy. Some are deceptive, destructive, or simply ignored. Let’s look closer:
⚠️ Dangerous Reflections We Must Confront
- 🫥 Self-image: “He beholdeth his natural face…” – 6 personal pronouns in one sentence. Self-obsession leads to spiritual blindness.
- 🎭 Self-deceptive: We “put on makeup,” wear spiritual masks, and refuse to face our flaws. This is soul deception.
- 😎 Conceited look: “Don’t think more highly than you ought” (Romans 12:3).
- 🚶♂️ Selfish disobedience: He “goeth his way”—back to business, back to comfort, without repentance.
- ❌ Self-dismissive: He “forgets what manner of man he was.” He dismisses conviction and dulls his conscience.
Bishop Brownrig said it well: “To deceive is bad, to deceive yourself is worse, but to deceive yourself about your soul is worst of all.”
🌟 Divine Reflections We Must Embrace
- 🙏 Confession: We agree with the Word about our condition and repent. 1 John 1:9
- 🔍 Careful Study: We look “into the perfect law of liberty”—not casually but carefully. Not glancing, but gazing.
- 🛠️ Correction: The doer doesn’t walk away. He applies. He changes.
- 📌 Continuance: James says he “continues” (Greek: parameno)—to remain beside, abide close to the Word.
🏠 Reflections in the Home
Fathers, husbands, ministers—what is being reflected in your home?
- 👀 Your wife: She is your mirror. If she seems anxious or disconnected, check your spiritual posture. Ephesians 5:25
- 👣 Your children: They are watching you. Reflect Christ, not just correction. Be present. Be humble.
🔍 Examples from Scripture
- Eli: A religious father who knew the truth but didn’t confront sin. He saw but didn’t act. (1 Samuel 2:29)
- The Father of the Prodigal: He was loving, steady, ready, and Christ-like. Even when his son went astray, the reflection remained clear. (Luke 15:20)
📸 What Do You See?
When you stand before the laver of the Word—what do you see? Do you walk away unchanged? Or do you respond with confession, repentance, and transformation?
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
JESUS. And the goal is that He would be reflected in us.
💬 Life Application Questions
- 🧽 What flaw has God shown me in the mirror of His Word lately?
- 🛐 Am I daily cleansing, or merely admiring truth?
- 🏠 What are my children and spouse reflecting back to me spiritually?
📖 Closing Scripture
John 15:3 (KJV)
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
Joshua 24:15 – “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
🙏 Closing Prayer
“Father, help me to see myself clearly in the mirror of Your Word. Let me not be a forgetful hearer but a faithful doer. Cleanse me daily. Change my heart. Make me a reflection of Christ in my home, my church, and my world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
