Exodus 30:19-21

Exodus 30:19-21

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; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

1. “For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat.”

a. The washing of the hands and feet is needed to cleanse where the priest has walked and what he has handled.

2. “When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister…”

a. There were two occasions when they were commanded to wash. They were to wash before they went into the tabernacle and they were to wash before they made any kind of offering.

b. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, under the New Covenant the priesthood was changed.

1). Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

2). All believers are a royal priesthood.

a). 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

b). 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

3). When we get born again we are initially cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

a). 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

4). But just like the priests needed daily cleansing previous to doing any divine service, we need daily cleansing before doing any divine service.

a). Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

And having an high priest over the house of God;

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

b). Notice we go into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, but there is also a washing of our bodies with water. The water is the water of the Word.

(1). Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

(2). Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

5). There is a solemn warning in Leviticus 10:3 “…I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me…”

a). John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

b). The sanctification or cleansing of the New Testament believer is outward and inward.

(1). 2 Corinthians 6:14-2 Corinthians 7:1 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.