The sanctuary proper stood within an enclosure a hundred and fifty feet long and seventy-five feet wide. This enclosed spot was known as “the court of the tabernacle.” Its boundaries were marked by brass “pillars,” or posts, set at regular intervals, with curtains made of fine linen, seven and a half feet high, stretched from one post to another, and fastened at each point to a silver hook placed for that purpose. At the east end was a “gate,” or passageway thru the frail bulwark, thirty feet wide, and having drapings of blue, purple, and scarlet. When entering the place, these must be parted at some sectional division of the draping. Ex. 27:9-18.
The Sanctuary and Its Surrounding Court, as Seen in the Camp of Israel.
Just inside the entrance to the court, but directly between it and the door of the tabernacle, stood the altar of burnt-offering. Ex. 40:6; Lev. 4:7. This was a structure seven and one-half feet square, and four and one-half feet high, constructed of acacia wood, and overlaid with heavy brass plate. Its top, where the fire was kindled, was a grate, open, after the manner of net work, thru which the ashes were sifted into pans set beneath. Ex. 27:1-8.
All animals to be sacrificed for burnt-offerings, whether for sin atonement or trespass-offering, were to be killed in the court of the tabernacle just north of the altar of burnt-offering. Lev. 1:10, 11; 6:25; 7:2. The blood of these sacrifices was received in some suitable vessel, and after the priest had dipped his finger in it and put some of it on the horns of the altar, the rest of the blood was poured out at the base of the altar. Lev. 4:7, 18, 30.
This was a very significant service. Any person who brought one of these offerings to the sanctuary, did so because he was in some way a transgressor of God’s law. “The wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:23. Whoever brought a sin-offering to the altar, thus acknowledged himself worthy of death. His substitute, tho entirely innocent, was therefore required to give up its life in behalf of the sinner. The life of the flesh being in the blood (Lev. 17:11), a portion of the blood was put on the altar, to signify that a life had paid the penalty of the transgression which required the service. In this was faintly shadowed the law of substitution by which the innocent Christ, as the Lamb of God, was called to spill His blood for guilty rebels against God.
The Creator of the universe so loved the world of mankind, to whom He had given existence, that He gave His only-begotten Son to rescue from perishing in their rebellion, all who would be saved. This provision was made from the very beginning (Rev. 13:8), so that from the days of Abel, blood was offered in token of deserved death, and in faith of a coming Redeemer to save from such fate. Accordingly, in the fulness of time Christ came, and died for the sins of the world. Gal. 4:4, 5; 1 Cor. 15:3. The blood then offered by the divine Sacrifice is the cleansing power by which all who take the prescribed measures may have their own sins washed away. 1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
Another article of furniture held a prominent place in the court of the tabernacle. This was known as the laver. This was no ordinary vessel, tho it was used for no other purpose than that of a wash-basin, at which the priests cleansed their hands and feet. Ex. 30:18-21. We do not know its size or exact shape, but are told that it was constructed of nothing less than the highly polished, brazen mirrors in which the women worshipers had been wont to behold their own countenances. Ch. 38:8. This vessel was placed between the altar of burnt-offering and the door of the sanctuary, so that the priests, on passing from the service at the altar to complete their work in the sanctuary, might stop, before entering so holy a place, and cleanse2 (274)away the stains of blood and other filth adhering to their hands or feet. This was absolutely necessary, as to appear in the presence of God in behalf of others without such cleansing, was quick and absolute death.
Thru following Christ we become a royal priesthood to do service for others. 1 Peter 2:9. That office may require more or less service of a menial character. Before entering on even this, we too should be cleansed, and may become so thru the Word of the Lord. John 15:3. But when our Saviour was about to transfer His earthly responsibility to His disciples, He first taught them the true nature of humility by which they might enter upon their mission properly. In the presence of all the others, He washed the feet of each one. When questioned by Peter as to the meaning of this service, the Saviour replied that he who was not washed, could have no part with Him in His work. John 13:8-11. So, then, all who would now do service for the Master must be morally washed at the laver of regeneration, which was well illustrated by the Saviour in the physical cleansing of His disciples’ feet. By following this great example, His people may now, as then, even tho they have been washed in the cleansing blood of Christ, prevent the introduction of dissension, strife, and alienation, because this lowly service softens and subdues the heart and brings about a union that no other act can produce. J. O. CORLISS.
