Lesson: Brazen Sea and Ten Lavers (No. CB114

Goal:

To review the basic concepts related to the brazen sea and the symbolism that is involved in the text.

Objectives:

1. Children will be able to understand how the brazen sea and 10 lavers functioned.

2. Children will be able to state how many items held water in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the Temple Solomon built.

3. Children will be able to explain what replaced the brazen sea in the Millennial Temple and the City of God.

4. Children will understand the symbolism of water.

Resources:

The Temple Solomon Built (No. CB107)

Brazen Sea and Ten Lavers (No. CB114)

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness (No. CB42)

Relevant Scriptures:

Exodus 30:18-21; 1Kings 7:23-26; 2Chronicles 4:2-6; Jeremiah 17:13; Psalm 36:8,9; 47:1-12; Mark 16:15-16; John 7:38; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22; 1John 1:7-10; Revelation 22:1ff.

Format:

Open with prayer.

Ask the children what they think the water represents in scripture. Ask the children if they remember any stories that involved water in scripture.

Conduct the lesson on the Brazen Sea.

Conduct the activity associated with the Brazen Sea.

Close with prayer.

Lesson:

Read through the paper Brazen Sea and Ten Lavers (No. CB114) unless the lesson is read as a sermonette with the children present.
Use the questions to review the main points in No. CB114.

Children’s questions are in bold followed by the answers:

Q1. Who desired or wanted to build a Temple for Eloah?

A. King David.

Q2. Is there any reference to water or water like substances at the Throne of Eloah?

A. Yes. Revelation 4:6: “and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like crystal and in the centre and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind”. (NASV)

Q3. Does scripture refer to the fountain of living water? If so, where is that located and what does that refer to?

A. The fountain of living water is referred to in Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; Psalm 36:8,9; John 4:10-14; 7:38; given with our price (Rev. 21:6, 22:17). Messiah will give of the fountain of water of life freely.

Q4. Was there a laver or basin in the Tabernacle in the wilderness? If so, where was it located and what was it for?

A. The laver was between the Tabernacle and the altar of burnt offering. In there the priests were to wash their hands and feet before going about their duties.

Q5. Was there a penalty or a consequence if the priests did not wash prior to doing their priestly duties?

A. Yes, there was. The penalty for not washing was death (Ex. 30:20,21).

Q6. What might the laver symbolize?

A. The laver was made from the mirrors of woman. Just as a woman is symbolic of the Church, the laver signifies that people are washed by the water of God’s Word and now come to Christ through the Church. Once a member is baptized and placed with in the Body of Christ, the Church has a responsibility to care, teach and help the person to become a son of God.

Q7. Was the laver in the same place in the Temple Solomon built?

A. No, it was not. The brazen sea is described in 1Kings 7:23-26 and 2Chronicles 4:2-5,10. It stood in the south-eastern corner of the inner court (1Kgs. 7:39; 2Chr. 4:10). It is outside of the House of God as was the altar, to symbolize the fact that Christ died outside of the camp as a sacrifice once and for all. The direction is also important since it gives us an indication of things that will happen in Eloah’s Plan in the future.

Q8. Was there much detail given as to the look of the laver in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness or the Great Sea in the Temple Solomon built? Which one was larger?

A. Great detail is given as to how the brazen sea appeared in contrast to the limited detail of the laver in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness (Ex. 30:18-21). In 1Kings 7:23ff., we note that the sea was five cubits high, ten cubits from one rim to the other and thirty cubits around. Therefore, the diameter or distance across is ten cubits and the circumference is thirty cubits.

Q9 What things can you think of that have to do with the number 30?

A. We know the number 30 indicates divine order and government. There are thirty Beings in the Inner Council, including Eloah.

Q10. How many oxen held up the great sea? What things can you think of with that number?

A. The great sea rested on the backs of twelve oxen, standing with their faces outward (2Chr. 4:5). There are many associations with the number 12: for example, 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 judges, 12 Host that remained loyal, 12 hours of day light or 12 hours of dark. There are also things that tie to Eloah’s Plan that are multiples of 12 such as the 144,000 are allocated 12,000 to each tribe (Rev. 7:5-8).

Q11. Regarding the laver in the Temple Solomon built was there any description of the appearance of the laver?

A. They were in 2 x rows of 300 bull’s head or 600 total bull’s heads on the bowl (2Chr. 4:2-3).

Q12. What things can you think of that also have the number 300 or 600 associated with it?

A. 300 were used for the work of God through Gideon (3 companies of 100 men overthrew the Midianites) and Samson (150 pairs of foxes tied tail-to-tail with a torch set the Philistines’ fields on fire). There are 12 Jubilee cycles of 50 years (12 x 50 = 600). It was twelve Jubilees from the Jubilee year of the building of the Temple of King Solomon, which ended in 924 BCE, and the completion of the work of Ezra and the end of the Old Testament Covenant in 324 BCE.

Q13. Did the laver contain a little water or a lot? Is there any significance to the amount of water it held?

A. From 1Kings 7:26, we see it contained 2,000 baths. Bullinger points out that 2Chronicles 4:5 indicates it could contain 3,000 baths. See note on 1Kings 7:26 in The Companion Bible. The number 3,000 is very significant in scripture. We know from Exodus 32:24-28 that 3,000 lost their lives due to disobedience and their involvement with the golden calf after Pentecost in the first year of the Exodus. Yet, in Acts 2:41, we learn that 3,000 people were brought into the Church around Pentecost in 30 CE

Q14. What might the brazen sea and laver represent?

A. The brazen sea may also picture the concept of baptism. We see both the burnt altar and brazen sea being outside of the Temple. We know that through Christ’s perfect sacrifice we are able to repent, be baptized and reconciled to the Father.

Q15. Was there only the brazen sea in the Temple Solomon built or were there other large containers that held water?

A. 2Chronicles 4:6 describes the ten smaller lavers and their use. There were five lavers on the right and five on the left of the Temple. Here again we see the symmetry in the Temple Solomon built, with matching items on the right/south and left/north side of the Temple just as with the lampstands and tables of showbread.

Q16. How large were the lavers and what did they look like?

A. Each laver contained 40 baths or collectively 400 baths, or 200 baths on each side of the Temple. The ten lavers were all identical. On each laver there were graven cherubim, lions, oxen, and palm trees (1Kgs. 7:27-39).

Q17. Where else did we see “pictures” of lions, cherubim and palm trees?

A. Within the Temple Solomon built.

Q18. What concepts are associated with water in scripture?

A. Water is clearly tied to the concept of baptism. We see water brings eternal life (Jn. 4:14). God cleanses or washes us by washing us with His word (Eph. 5:26). We need to be baptized to have sins washed away (Acts 22:16); and lastly, again being washed from sin (Heb. 10:22).

Q19. Who is the fountain of living water and what is the river of the water of life?

A. The Lord God is the fountain of living water (Jer. 2:13; 17:13; also Zech. 14:8). This is the river of the water of life (Rev. 22:1).

Q20. From whom does the living water flow?

A. Christ, speaking of the Spirit (Jn. 7:39), said from him living waters flow (Jn. 4:10-14; 7:38, cf. Isa. 21:3; 55:1; 58:11).

Q21. In the Millennial Temple are there any concepts tied to water?

A. There does not appear to be a laver in the Millennial Temple yet we see a stream flowing from the Temple. Ezekiel 47:1 describes a stream flowing from under the entrance. It began in the south part of the Temple, where it ran past the altar, and continued east through the courtyard. Here again we see this south-eastern direction mentioned. In the future we will see Jerusalem as the focal point or centre of the government of Eloah administered by His High Priest, Josiah the Messiah.

Q22. Will there be a time when Eloah moves His Throne to the Earth?

A. Yes (Rev. 22:1-21). At that time there will not be any sin on the earth.

Q23. When Eloah moves His Throne to earth will there be a river as was explained in the Millennial Temple?

A. Yes, we clearly see the river concept again. We see the river of life coming from the Throne of God (Rev. 22:1-21).

Q24. When Eloah relocates to the earth does the curse from when man sinned still exist?

A. No, we know from Revelation 22:3 the curse of Genesis 3:14 and 4:11 is gone since sin no longer exists on the planet.

Q25. Is the Temple currently physical or spiritual? What implications or consequences does that have for us now?

A. We are the spiritual Temple (naos) of God (1Cor. 3:26-17) and each one of us is individually responsible to wash our robes and so we able to take of the living waters, retain our relationship with Eloah and work diligently under Messiah’s direction to get the Gospel out to this dying planet.

Activities associated with the brazen sea:

Make the 12 oxen and brazen sea a 3-D construction activity

Supplies needed for 12 oxen and the brazen sea: clay or sculpey to make the 12 oxen to support the brazen sea, 1 large dish/bowl/sphere about 10 inches in diameter and 5 inches deep (we used a plant liner found in the floral section of a craft store), pompoms or styrofoam balls, hot glue, papier-mâché, copper-coloured spray paint.
The 12 oxen

To form the 12 oxen, provide a picture for the children to work from. Teaching stores frequently have a variety of animals available to choose from which may work for a 3-D model of the oxen. Since the Bible is unclear if the oxen were standing or resting on stomachs with their legs under them, we need to decide how we want to have the children fashion the animals. If the animals are resting, balancing the bowl on their backs will be easier. If making the animals to stand, ensure each animal can stand independently and that their back height is uniform to ensure the bowl will balance on their backs.
Once the animals are fashioned and baked or hardened – depending on the media used – spray them copper.

The brazen sea

To fashion the brazen sea we glued 2 rows of pompoms onto the base and explained to the children that they were to represent oxen heads (2Chr. 4:2-3).
Next we papier-mâchéd the entire bowl.
Once dry we sprayed it copper.
Children were provided with copper-coloured paper (or use white paper and colour the designs with copper colours) and encouraged to make lily-work (1Kgs. 7:26). Once the designs were finished again they were cut out and glued to the bowl.
The bowl was placed on the backs of the 12 oxen after the oxen were positioned with 3 looking east, 3 south etc.

2. Make the 10 lavers a 3-D construction activity

Supplies needed: 10 toilet-paper rolls, 10 x 2-litre bottles, copper spray paint, scissors, copper-coloured paper, hot glue and regular glue.

Cut the top off of each 2-litre bottle leaving a 3-inch base (1Kgs. 7:27).
Cut the paper roll in 4 equal pieces. Though 1Kings 7 gives a detailed description of the bases and wheels, we elected to just glue the paper towel small wheels on to the soda bottle versus trying to create the axles etc.
Spray the lavers with copper spray paint and allow to dry.
On each laver there were cherubim, lions, oxen and palm trees. The children make their drawings on having copper-coloured paper, card stock etc. (or on white paper and colour with a copper-coloured designs) cut out the designs and glue to the spayed lavers.
See 1Kings 7:27-39 for more detail.

3. Fill the brazen sea (a movement-based activity)

This activity is best done outdoors in summer.
Divide the children into 2 teams.
Supplies needed: 2 large pails filled with water, 2 large plastic bowls the same size, 2 cups per team (the size of the cup in part determines how easy or complex the task is. Also, consider the size of the cup depending on hand size of the child).
Place the bowls at one end of the activity opposite the water supply.
The two teams are placed in a line order following behind the pails of water.
The first person fills their cup with water and passes it to the second person (passing the cup can be around the side, over the head, etc.). The last person with the cup walks or runs and pours the water into the bowl; then runs to the front of the line and becomes the person filling the cup with the water.
Play continues in this way until the brazen sea/plastic bowl is finished.
Afterwards discuss how much work it must have been if the brazen sea was manually filled. Discuss the concept of the Gibeonites and their lies to Israel to become a part of Israel and how they became hewers of wood and carriers of water (Josh. 9:21, 23, 27).

4. Wash the priests (a movement-based activity)

o This activity is best done in summer outdoors wearing swimsuits or play clothes.

o Ensure each child is “ok” with getting wet before starting to play. If not they can be given helper roles of referee etc.

o Divide the children into 2 teams.

o Supplies: 2 x large bowls of water, and 2 x snack-size zip lock bags that have been prepared with placing water in the bag and poking a needle into the bag to allow it to sprinkle water out. It is best to test the bags before use to see how much the bag “sprinkles”.

o The two teams are placed in a line order following behind the bowls of water.

o The first person fills the snack bag with water; they run towards the end of the line with the bag over the head of the other players. Upon reaching the last player they open the bag of water on the person’s head. This person takes the bag and runs to the front of the line and play continues until each person has gotten wet.

o Afterwards discuss how, anciently, the priests had to wash before ministering or coming before God in the Temple. Attempt to correlate how each of us should be repenting of sins/washing before we come to God in prayer.

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