Exodus 30:17-38
One article was still required in order that worship might be rendered. It was the laver of brass. It had to be placed in the court between the altar and the tabernacle, in the path of the priest who, on his way to exercise his office, washed his hands and feet there. It is a picture of self-judgment under the power of the Word (the water), cleansing the worshipper from the defilement contracted in his walk through the world (John 13:10).
After the water which cleanses him from the "filthiness of the flesh" (negatively) we find the anointing oil (the Spirit), who imparts a holy character. The ingredients entering into its composition express the different graces and glories of Christ. It was forbidden to pour the holy oil on man’s flesh (that would be using the gifts of the Spirit to glorify man) and to make anything like it (to imitate the workings of the Holy Spirit). Psalms 133:2 shows us this precious oil poured out on the head, descending on Aaron’s beard, then to the hem of his garments: a wonderful picture of the redeemed exulting by the Spirit in the perfections of their glorified Head, and partaking in the same anointing. By contrast, the sweet odour of the incense rose continually toward God to present to Him in detail all the excellences of His Well-Beloved.