How does Exodus 30:20 emphasize the importance of purity before serving God? The Key Verse “Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by burning an offering made by fire to the LORD,” (Exodus 30:20) Why the Washing Matters • Literal requirement: God commands Aaron and his sons to wash every time they step into the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar. • Life-and-death seriousness: “so that they will not die.” Purity is not optional; it is a non-negotiable condition for service. • Visible sermon: The basin at the entrance preached daily that sin defiles and that cleansing must precede worship. Physical Water, Spiritual Truth • External act points to inward reality. God ties bodily washing to inner holiness: clean hands symbolize a clean heart (Psalm 24:3-4). • Repetition teaches continual need. Even consecrated priests still picked up daily defilements; so do we (John 13:10). • God remains unchanged. His holiness still demands that servants come purified, though Christ fulfills the deeper washing (Hebrews 10:22). What Purity Says About God • He is holy—utterly separated from sin (Isaiah 6:3). • He is gracious—He provides the means of cleansing (the basin then, the cross now). • He is consistent—Old and New Testaments echo the same standard (James 4:8). Purity Before Service—Threaded Through Scripture • Exodus 19:10-11 – Israel washes before meeting God at Sinai. • Leviticus 8:6 – Moses washes the priests at their ordination. • Isaiah 52:11 – “Be clean, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.” • Malachi 3:3 – The Lord “will purify the sons of Levi… so they may present offerings in righteousness.” • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” New-Covenant Fulfillment • Christ’s blood provides the ultimate cleansing (1 John 1:7). • Baptism pictures that inner washing (Acts 22:16). • Ongoing confession keeps fellowship fresh (1 John 1:9). • Believers are now “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). Purity remains prerequisite for ministry. Practical Takeaways • Approach God thoughtfully. Habitual, unconfessed sin dulls worship. • Value daily repentance. Sin’s stain is subtle but real; cleansing keeps our service acceptable. • Guard public ministry with private holiness. God still links the two. • Let God’s provision encourage, not discourage. The same Lord who demanded purity supplied the water—and today supplies the cleansing power of the Spirit and the Word (Ephesians 5:26). |
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