Definition: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 30:20. It’s a really important and fascinating passage about how God prepared for Israel to worship in His presence. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God wanted to create a special place – the Tabernacle – where Israelites could worship Him directly, without any intermediaries (like priests). He needed to protect them from sickness and death while they were worshipping. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation…” : This means when the Israelites start entering the Tabernacle – which was a covered house built in Jerusalem – they’d be allowed to wash with water. “…they shall wash with water…” : This is the key part! Washing with water was a way to purify them and prevent sickness and death. It was believed that God's presence was powerful enough to cleanse away impurity. Think of it like a baptism, but specifically for worshiping Him. “…that they die not…” : This suggests that washing with water would protect them from illness or even death while they were worshipping God. “or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:” This is where it gets really significant. The Tabernacle was a special platform for the High Priest – someone who would offer sacrifices (food and drink) to God. “near to the altar…” : This means they were allowed to be close enough to the altar to participate in the offering. “…to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:” : The High Priest would offer a special gift – a sacrifice – that was made with fire (a symbol of God's power). This offering was meant to show reverence and devotion to God, and it was believed to be a way for God to bless them. In essence, this verse describes a ritual designed to protect the Israelites from harm while they worshipped. It’s a beautiful example of how God cared deeply about his people and wanted to establish a special place where they could connect with Him directly. Why is it important? This passage highlights that God is involved in every aspect of life, even when we are worshipping Him. It shows that He's not just distant but actively present in our lives and wants to protect us from harm. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this story to a larger theme in the Bible (like faith, worship, or holiness)?