20 when they enter the tent of meeting , they shall wash with water , so that they will not die ; or when they approach the altar to minister , by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord . 21 "So they shall wash their hands and their feet , so that they will not die ; and it shall be a perpetual statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations ."
22 Moreover, the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 23 "Take also for yourself the finest of spices : of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much , two hundred and fifty , and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty , 24 and of cassia five hundred , according to the shekel of the sanctuary , and of olive oil a hin . 25 "You shall make of these a holy anointing oil , a perfume mixture , the work of a perfumer ; it shall be a holy anointing oil . 26 "With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony , 27 and the table and all its utensils , and the lampstand and its utensils , and the altar of incense , 28 and the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils , and the laver and its stand . 29 "You shall also consecrate them, that they may be most holy ; whatever touches them shall be holy . 30 " You shall anoint Aaron and his sons , and consecrate them, that they may minister as priests to Me. 31 "You shall speak to the sons of Israel , saying , 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations . 32 'It shall not be poured on anyone's body , nor shall you make any like it in the same proportions ; it is holy , and it shall be holy to you. 33 ' Whoever e shall mix any like it or whoever puts any of it on a layman shall be cut off from his people .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 30:20-33
Commentary on Exodus 30:17-21
(Read Exodus 30:17-21)
A large vessel of brass, holding water, was to be set near the door of the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and feet at this laver, every time they went in to minister. This was to teach them purity in all their services, and to dread the pollution of sin. They must not only wash and be made clean, when first made priests, but must wash and be kept clean, whenever they went to minister. It teaches us daily to attend upon God, daily to renew our repentance for sin, and our looking to the blood of Christ for remission; for in many things we daily offend.
Commentary on Exodus 30:22-38
(Read Exodus 30:22-38)
Directions are here given for making the holy anointing oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, Ecclesiastes 7:1. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach us not to profane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things, and to make sport with his word and ordinances. It is most dangerous and fatal to use professions of the gospel of Christ to forward wordly interests.