BETWEEN the brazen altar and the temple, in the court, stood the molten sea, or sea of brass. This was an immense round basin, at least fifteen feet in diameter and forty-five in circumference. Upon the outside, all around, were cast figures of small oxen in two rows.
It was set upon twelve oxen of brass looking outward in all directions. Its thickness was a hand-breadth, and upon the cuplike brim were flowers of lilies cast all around. This great, beautiful basin contained fifteen thousand gallons of water with a capacity of one-third more.
Besides the great sea of brass, there were also ten smaller basins or lavers; five on one side of it, and five on the other; They were placed upon richly decorated bases, with wheels of brass and were used to wash in them such things as were offered for the burnt offerings. But in the great sea, the priests were to wash before they could attend to the temple service. Everything that might have defiled them must be washed away, before they could enter into the holy temple. God’s holiness demanded this. So, it does still with His children. We know that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all (or every) sin,” but the wrong things, acts, words thoughts, which we do daily, must be judged, and confessed, if we want to enjoy the presence of God. Jesus said to Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou past no part with Me.” “He that is washed needeth not, save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit, and ye are clean . . .”
This constant washing is by the Word of which water is a picture. “Ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:33Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3).)
It is by reading the Word and acting in obedience to it, that our ways are cleansed from all that is not pleasing to God; it is most important then, that we should read it constantly, that we may not stumble and fall.
The Lord’s priestly service toward us, is typified in the sea of brass, with its purifying water. The twelve large oxen, and the many little ones cast upon it, speak if Jesus’ watchful patience and endurance. Looking every way, to the North, South, East and West these oxen remind us of the blessed fact, that no temptation great or small can overtake us, but the Lord sees it before it comes. After He had atoned for our sins, He returned to heaven, from whence He watches over us, and prays for us, as He did for Peter before this disciple denied Him; “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.” This wonderful love of Christ we cannot understand, but we know it will go on to the end, regardless of what we may do, for it is endless, unchangeable. The knowledge. of this must surely make us wish to return that love in some degree. It will make us careful to do nothing that may grieve His heart and we shall long to see the One “who loved us and gave Himself for us.”
ML 04/23/1916