Exodus 30:21, commentary and pictures

The verse required the priests to wash their hands and their feet at the laver in the court before entering the tent of meeting or approaching the altar to minister to the Lord. They were to remove every particle of dust and all impurity lest they desecrate the sanctuary, and failure to wash brought death because coming defiled into the presence of a high and holy God profaned the holy place. It was given as a lasting statute forever to Aaron and to his seed throughout their generations. The washing taught that all defilement must be put away by those who approach God, showing that cleanliness is closely connected with acceptable worship and reflects His purity. The same requirement means those who minister in sacred things today must be pure in heart and clean and neat in body and dress, and to serve with the body polluted by tobacco dishonors the sanctuary and offers worship unacceptable to a holy God. The hand-and-foot washing was an outward ceremonial requirement that met its antitype and is no longer required after Christ's death, for outward rites cannot cleanse the heart, nor does this instruction require believers to remove their shoes when entering a house of worship.

Washing in Sanctuary Service

The hands and the feet of the priests had to be washed at the laver before entering the tent of meeting or approaching the altar and the Lord to minister. The brazen laver stood in the court beside the door of the tabernacle, placed between the altar and the congregation, so the washing was done in sight of the people before coming into the presence of God. At one time the washing was done before putting on the clean linen garments and entering the sanctuary to serve God.

Before entering where the glory of God was revealed, the priests left their shoes in the court and made special preparation by washing. The washing was to remove every particle of dust and all impurity and uncleanness, lest dust cleaving to the shoes or any defilement desecrate the sanctuary. The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary, and He is so high and holy that coming into His presence and pleading for Israel while defiled dishonored His holiness and profaned the holy place. For that reason failure to wash brought death, and cleanliness and reverence were made part of ministering before God.

The command was given as a lasting statute forever for Aaron and his seed throughout their generations, binding the priests and their descendants whenever they served in the tabernacle or at the altar.

Holiness Required Today

The washing taught that every defilement, impurity and uncleanness must be put away by those who approach God's presence, and that cleanliness in His service is to be treated with great care. Cleanliness was thereby made closely connected with acceptable worship and reverent service in ministering before God, reflecting His own purity. The care and reverence of the priests in cleansing taught the people that God is holy and that His presence and service are holy and sacred. The laver stood between the altar and the congregation so the washing was done in sight of the people, keeping the sacred elevated above common things because God is so high and holy.

The same requirement means that those who minister in sacred things must now be pure and holy, with purity of heart joined to personal cleanliness. They are to be clean and neat in body and dress, rightly representing the principles of truth in life and example. Entering the tabernacle to serve with mouths polluted by tobacco would dishonor the sanctuary and bring the death that came upon Nadab and Abihu for dishonoring His holiness. Prayer and worship offered with the body thus defiled by appetite is making an idol of appetite, which is idolatry unacceptable to a holy God.

The hand-and-foot washing was an outward ceremonial requirement for Israel serving in sacred office, illustrating the need for carefulness and purity. After Christ's death the type met its antitype, so these outward washings are no longer required. Performing outward rites cannot cleanse the heart from sin or replace inward religion. The sanctuary instruction to wash on pain of death, given as a lasting statute for them and their descendants, does not establish that believers must remove their shoes when entering a house of worship.