i8o THE OLIVE LEAF. CHAP. 



lesson to us. We see our impurity in order that we 

 may apply for cleansing. Our uncomeliness is revealed 

 to us for the very purpose of causing us to seek for 

 the beauty of holiness. 



2. The laver made of the looking-glasses of the 

 women stood in the court of the tabernacle between 

 the altar of burnt-offering and the door of the holy 

 place. As the altar removed the legal obstacle that 

 lay in the way of a sinner's access to God, so the 

 laver removed the moral. The one by the atone- 

 ment which it presented opened up the way to God ; 

 the other by the purification which it effected qualified 

 the believer for coming into God's presence. 



And viewed in this light, what an expressive symbol 

 is it of the spiritual fountain opened in the house of 

 David for sin and uncleanness ! The blood of the 

 altar of burnt-offering and the water of the laver of 

 purification both came out of the pierced side of the 

 crucified Redeemer. The idea of the altar and the 

 idea of the laver are both united and implied in the 

 blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than 

 the blood of Abel ; that does not merely remove 

 ceremonial and superficial defilements, but penetrates 

 to the very source of corruption, and completely 

 removes it. In the Levitical economy no washing 

 was permitted to the priests, except what took place 

 at the sacred vessel of the tabernacle appointed for 

 the purpose. And so it is the precious blood of 

 Christ alone that can wash away our sins, and give 

 us that purity of heart which shall enable us to see 



