If you remember yesterday, we talked about how oil is representative of the Holy Spirit and the "oil" makes our hearts pliable for God to work with us. Today we will begin looking at the stage of sprinkling the oil within the ceremonial cleansing of the leper.
First, the Priest opened the oil and poured some into his left hand. And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: and the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand,and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord:(Lev 14:15,16)
Sprinkling signified that impurity is recognized in every area of our lives. The seven times represent the components of a plan that God has provided for the restoration of mankind. A good way to observe these different elements is to study the seven pieces of furniture God had placed in the Tabernacle. We have the privilege of learning from all the Scriptures for our spiritual development, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom 15:4) An understanding of these seven subjects will furnish a good view of God's plan for our total redemption.
God's plan is revealed in many different ways in Scripture and the use of the furniture is one good way of remembering the basics. First was the Brazen Altar on which the sacrifices were cooked or burned. It was a large square fire box with legs all covered with brass. It was located outside the Tent in the front courtyard. The priest was instructed not to let the fire go out. We know that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross just outside the city of Jerusalem. The Altar was to burn the slain animals and the Cross was for the offering of God's Son. This is where the reconciliation of mankind took place.
The Bible plainly tells us And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself (Col 1:20) Jesus is ready day or night for our repentance of sin because his fire never goes out. He has paid the price for our sin and is now offering us eternal life by His Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14) These verses proclaim that the Blood of Christ has provided the way and the Spirit is able to lead people to God.
The second piece of furniture was the Bronze Laver in which the priest washed themselves. This large basin had legs and stood outside the Tent. In fact, both the altar and the basin were outside the Tent because they deal directly with our sin. One takes care of our nature and the other our every day sins. John tells us If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8,9) Our baptism shows that we have died to sin in a public way. When we are buried in the water it shows our death with Christ and coming up out of the water showed our resurrection to a new life in the Spirit. The putting away of the flesh was a decision we should have made during our repentance. The sins of our daily life must also be washed off as we endeavor to live righteously in the world that surrounds us. Paul tells us in Ephesians to be followers of God by the filling of the Spirit That he I(Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) 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. (Eph 5:26) The Altar can represent our death to worldly ways and the Water Basin could represent our walk in a clean new life. Jesus accomplished these things and now we reckon them as ours.
Entering the Tent the priest would see the Golden Table of Showbread (presence) on his right. Once a week twelve new loaves of unleavened bread were stacked on this table. This showed that God always provided for his children and was present with them. Jesus told the disciples he "was" the bread of life and that they must eat of Him. The strength of our life is holy living (righteousness) and this is why the bread could contain no leaven (sin) at all. We are represented by bread that has leaven in it because of the sin that lives in us. But our goal is to identify with Jesus in every way possible The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10) This verse references the fact that God is making us perfect as He strengthens our spiritual life. As we eat of God's bread (Jesus) the Spirit reveals His ways to us. Righteousness is a gift brought to us by the Holy Spirit but we must partake of it by faith.
May the Lord help us to eat and not to starve to death with food on the table.
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