2 Chronicles 4:1-6: a reflection

1Then he made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. 2Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, five cubits high, and thirty cubits in circumference. 3Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. 4It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward. 5It was a handbreadth thick. Its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths. 6He also made ten basins, and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to wash in them. The things that belonged to the burnt offering were washed in them, but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

Among the furnishings Solomon makes for the temple is a great bronze basin, called the sea, and ten smaller basins. And the passage tells us their purpose: the smaller basins were for washing the things used in the burnt offering, and the great sea was for the priests to wash in. Before the priests could serve at the altar, before the offerings could be presented, there was washing to be done; cleansing was built into the approach to God's house.

Notice the place of washing in the temple's service. The priests could not simply come and serve; they washed first, at the great bronze sea. Cleansing was not incidental but built into the very furnishings of the temple, a constant reminder that those who would serve and draw near to God must be clean. The sea and the basins stood as a tangible sign that approaching God required cleansing, that one does not come to serve the holy God unwashed.

That points to a truth that reaches us still: that those who would draw near to God and serve him need cleansing. The priests' washing at the bronze sea was outward; but it pointed to the deeper cleansing we need, of the heart, from the defilement of sin, which we cannot wash away ourselves. And this cleansing God provides in Christ, who washes us clean so that we may draw near and serve. Do not come to serve God as though no cleansing were needed; but do not despair, either, as though you could not be made clean. Come to the deeper cleansing God provides in Christ, who washes away what no bronze sea could reach, so that you, made clean, may draw near to God and serve him. The washing built into the temple points to the cleansing offered you in Christ; be washed by him, and serve.

Lord, among the temple furnishings Solomon made the great bronze sea and the basins for washing, so that the priests washed before they served and the offerings were cleansed before they were presented; cleansing was built into the approach to your house. Show me the truth that still reaches me: that those who would draw near to you and serve you need cleansing. The priests' washing was outward; but it pointed to the deeper cleansing I need, of the heart, from the defilement of sin, which I cannot wash away myself. And thank you that this cleansing you provide in Christ, who washes me clean so that I may draw near and serve. Keep me from coming to serve you as though no cleansing were needed; but keep me from despairing, either, as though I could not be made clean. Help me come to the deeper cleansing you provide in Christ, who washes away what no bronze sea could reach, so that I, made clean, may draw near to you and serve. The washing built into the temple points to the cleansing you offer me in Christ; wash me clean, Lord, and let me serve you.