Chapter 3
Types And Shadows of the Law
Sanctification Before The Law
The Covenant of Circumcision was a type of Sanctification before the Law. God said to Abraham: “. . . walk before me, and be thou perfect” — Genesis 17:1. God told Abraham that He would establish a covenant with him.
“This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised” — Genesis 17:10.
God’s covenant with Abraham concerning circumcision was instituted at this time. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness. Circumcision was for the purpose of cleanliness. Sanctification is cleansing of the heart. The Jewish child was circumcised on the eighth day. There should be no delay after the “new birth” before one seeks Sanctification. Do not be deluded by the enemy to stop after Salvation. The new convert should not pause to celebrate, but undergird himself with prayer and seek the experience of Sanctification.
“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised : that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also” — Romans 4:11. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” — Romans 2:28-29. Related Scripture: Romans, Chapters 2, 4. Colossians 2:11.
Sanctification Under The Law
Through obedience to the Law, people were saved and sanctified in Old Testament times. The Law was given as a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ. It is our schoolmaster today (Galatians 3:24). Although the offering of bulls and goats could not save, nor make those who brought them perfect, yet by obedience to the Law and looking forward to Christ’s sacrificial death, they received these experiences.
“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” — Hebrews 7:19.
This answers the question of why we should study the Levitical Law. It is the type or shadow of things to come. It is our schoolmaster. In Leviticus, chapter 4:1-12, we read of the sin offering typifying Sanctification.
“And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary” — Leviticus 4:6.
Seven is a perfect number signifying completion — all SIN removed. “Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt” — Leviticus 4:12.
In Hebrews we read that Jesus fulfilled. the sin offering when He was crucified outside Jerusalem on Mount Calvary. He was also buried in a new tomb where no man had been laid. This fulfilled the type of the ashes that were poured out and the bullock burned in a clean place.
“For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” — Hebrews 13:11-13.
In the Tabernacle worship, the priests made careful preparation for service in the Tabernacle. They set themselves apart and were dedicated to this service. “And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them” — Exodus 19:22.
It is a fearful thing to deny the sanctifying power of the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:28, 29).
“And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord” — Exodus 28:36-38.
We are called unto a high and holy priesthood, Our qualifications for that calling are just as exacting as were those of the priests who served in the Tabernacle.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” — I Peter 2:5. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” — 1 Peter 2:9.
The Water Laver
The laver was placed in the Outer Court, before the entrance to the Holy Place. The Holy Place portrays the beautiful state of the sanctified soul. The golden candlestick with its six branches and a central shaft in the center are the sanctified believers in the glory and light of Christ, who is in their midst.
“And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the SON of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle” — Revelation 1:13.
The table of shewbread is there which speaks of the Bread of Life on which our souls feed. As we partake of His broken body and shed blood, we discern the Lord’s death till He comes. Before the beautiful vail was the altar of incense where sweet spices with frankincense was offered up before the Lord. The composition of that incense was used for that purpose alone (Exodus 30:37). It is the incense of praise offered up from sanctified hearts continually, in a communion unknown to any other but the soul and God.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” … And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly . . .” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 23.
It was at the water laver that the priests washed their hands and feet before entering into the holy places to minister. The blood had been shed upon the brazen altar (pardon). They must wash with water before entering unto the altar of incense (Sanctification). Pardon and cleansing are the qualifications for entering into Heaven (Psalm 24:3,4). What does this have to do with us today? Everything!
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” — John 19:34. This is for our Justification and Sanctification. The blood was for pardon and the water was for cleansing. The Spirit is bearing witness of this truth of pardon and cleansing.
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth” — 1 John 5:6.
The Trinity is bearing witness also of this truth. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” — 1 John 5:7. “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one” — 1 John 5:8. Here is the Spirit bearing witness on earth that the blood is for pardon and the water is for cleansing.