1K7-11: Salvation Ain’t A Spectator Sport

There are a couple more details about the ten bronze lavers Hiram made that I wanna go over.

The first detail deals with a common misunderstanding.

These pots were NOT used for ritual cleansing.

In other words, the priests did NOT wash their hands and feet in them.

That’s what the Molten Sea was for.

Ya feel me?

These pots of living water were transported to and fro around the courtyard so the sacrificial animals could be ritually washed.

The bottom line is that there was a constant flow of people arriving to have their sacrifices tended to, so they had to be spread out across the entire Temple courtyard.

That’s why the bronze lavers had to be mobile.

Each of these big water pots held about 220 gallons. 

Actually, probably more than that.

When nobody was using them, they were parked in two neat rows in front of the Temple entrance…5 pots on one side of the door and 5 on the other. 

Now, where were these bronze monstrosities actually constructed?

Some of them were created in the Jordan River Valley (in an area between Tzartan and Succoth).

Others were probably made in a region called Timna, over by the Dead Sea.

But nobody can pinpoint exactly where each pot was built.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that these pots were super heavy

I’m talking heavy metal, man!

So I doubt they were constructed on the east side of the Jordan.

Can you imagine lugging these big, heavy things across the river?

Alrighty, let’s close with the takeaway.

So here’s the thing.

Contrary to popular misunderstanding….

The priests were NOT responsible for everything when it came to the ritual sacrifices.

The worshippers bringing the sacrifices had their part to play.

They were responsible for laying hands on the animal, slaughtering it, skinning it, and cutting it into pieces.

The priest’s exclusive domain began with the blood (catching it, splashing it against the altar) and everything that happened on the altar itself, since only priests could approach it. 

The lesson here is that making yourself right with God was a collaborative process.

You did your part.

And the priests did their part.

And no, I ain’t preaching some works over grace thing here.

So don’t get bent outta shape over what I just said.

God’s salvation happens based on our response to the grace He offers.

Salvation has always been a cooperative effort with God.

Abraham was considered righteous.

But that’s because he offered his son Isaac on the altar.

So his faith and his actions were working together.

The Lord saved Noah and his family.

But Noah still had to expend a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to build the Ark.

God gave the Israelites the Promised Land.

But they still had to go to war for it.

Ya feel me?

This idea that you walk down the aisle at some evangelical event, mumble some sinner’s prayer, and then head right back to your fornicating lifestyle without having to make any changes is preposterous as all hell, homie.

Ya feel me?

Done.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the
Kingdom of Heaven,
only those who do what
my Father in heaven wants.“
-Matthew7:21

“For we are God’s co-workers;
you are God’s field,
God’s building.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:9

“Indeed, just as the body
without a spirit is dead,
so too faith without
actions is dead.”
-James 2:26