Exodus Chapter 30, Verses 17-21  

:17 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.” 

We had noted previously that before the High Priests and the Priests could serve in the tabernacle that they had to be washed.  This washing was applied to them.  In this it is a type of the washing of the soul that takes place in regeneration.   

Now we are told that Aaron and his sons were to wash themselves before they go into the tabernacle of the congregation to serve therein or to come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD.  This is similar to the washing that a disciple of Christ is supposed to do in order to serve the Lord in His church kingdom:  

    1.  2 Cor. 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 

    2.  James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”   

“Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.”  The wash basin was made of brass.  Brass is made from copper and zinc.  Both the copper and the zinc is heated with great heat and mixed together to make brass.  Brass in the scriptures is associated with the judgment of God.  The cleansing of the brazen wash pot points us to the cleansing we are to do in keeping the word of God: Ps. 6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”  Like the water of the wash pot we are to cleanse ourselves for the service of God at the washing of the pure words of God.   

Verses 22-33 

:22  “Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, 24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. 26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, 28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. 30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. 31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. 32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. 33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.”         

There were four ingredients in the making of the holy anointing oil: myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and olive oil.  Four is the bible number associated with the work of the Holy Spirit.  Next, the anointing was to be performed by Moses.  Likewise, it was prophets who anointed the priests, and kings.  Samuel anointed Saul and David.  Similarly, the prophets Elijah and Elisha were also appointed to anoint kings and priests in their day.  This points us to the greatest of all prophets: Jesus Christ.  He holds the titles of Prophet, Priest, and King.           

It was an holy anointing oil for the purpose of sanctifying the tabernacle and its instruments and those who served in the tabernacle.  To sanctify is to set apart for a holy use.           

This points us to the fact that today we are anointed by the Lord Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual birth.  We are set apart for a holy use to serve the Lord as we are taught in Ephesians 2:10 where we are told that we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Likewise, the Holy Spirit anointed the church by means of (baptism of the Holy Ghost) on the day of Pentecost and at the household of Cornelius.           

This anointing is performed only on the elect family of God and not ever on the non-elect.