Also, when they approach the altar to minister, by presenting an offering made to the Lord by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so they will not die. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. In the Old Testament, why did the priests have to wash before they went into the temple? “ The Lord said to Moses, make a bronze basin with its bronze stand for washing.
Our motivations will be pure, without defilement. If our heart is pure, our hands and actions will be pure. ‘He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” (Job 22: 30, NIV)Ĭlean hands speak of guiltless actions. Our Hands were made to deliver folks from sin, not help to engage in it. As the Holy Spirit grows us, our character changes, and the sinful things that we used to engage in, no longer should entrap us. This place should be part of our walk with the Lord. There is a place that we are to uphold, a place that is close to the heart of the Lord, the place of having clean hands and a pure heart. When we cleanse our hearts before the Lord, we grow. “ The righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” (Job 17: 9, NIV) The washing of hands makes us grow stronger spiritually. Outward preparation to meet God, symbolizes the inward consecration God requires of his people. Why was the washing of hands required? Washing was a sign of consecration.
In the Tabernacle days, before any ministry took place in His holy place, the Priests were to wash their hands. “ I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord proclaiming aloud your praise telling of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 26: 6-7, NIV) No seriously, we are being told that our hands are to be cleansed for sacred use. To those of you who know the importance of washing our hands, especially before meals, you will love hearing this: We get rewards from washing, and it’s more than removing the germs! Yes, when our hands are clean, we are rewarded. Why is the cleanness of our hands associated with righteousness? This verse not only associates clean hands and righteousness, but it also speaks of receiving a reward. Here’s another Scripture about hands: “ The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness according to the cleanness of my hands, He has rewarded me.” (2 Samuel 22: 21, NIV) He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God His Savior.” (Psalm 24: 4-6, NIV) “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. The more you know of God’s character, the more you will realize the need to wash your hands and purify your heart before you can get close to Him.Did you know that our hands are not only an extension of our arms, but of our hearts as well? I was pondering on this recently and asked for a deeper understanding. The closer you get to holy God, the more obvious even your smallest sins become. If, however, you are like the psalmist and understand the holiness of God, you will adjust your life to His standards and respond to His prompting so that you may have deeper fellowship with Him. If you follow only God’s basic commandments but resist every time God gives you specific, personal directions, you will never fully experience the depths of God’s Person.
However, if you persist in your sin, sin will separate you from God and keep you from enjoying close fellowship with Him. The moment you become a Christian you begin a relationship with the Lord.
Priests washed their hands before serving in the temple to symbolize that only those who were cleansed could worship holy God. In Old Testament times, one’s hands represented one’s activities. It is an affront to holy God to assume that we can indulge in our sin and blatantly disobey His word, then brazenly enter the holy of holies. There is no easy access to God for those with unclean hands or an impure heart. God has rigid requirements for those who want to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.