Every man in the camp of Israel had to bring “ransom” money. No difference between rich and poor men. For today — there is one price to be paid for sin — the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
V.17-21 The laver. For the priests to wash at each time they came to do the work in the tabernacle. Notice the warning, twice given, for neglect. Of course we realize that a believer can’t lose his salvation, but he can lose the privilege of his priestly work if he is careless in his life. We need clean hands (what we do) and clean feet (where we go). Our life today is so busy with “doing things,” that these verses probably are quite a shock to us for they are telling how important worship of God is. In our days, service — sad to say it — is replacing worship in importance. So read Hebrews 8:3-4 to help realize that God is saying something to us.
V.22-38 The special spices to be used in the offerings to God. Note how carefully they are described as to measurement some different — some all equal quantities. All were only for God. No one was ever to put any of these perfumes on themselves. Notice what would happen should they do so. God is jealous that all glory should go to Christ alone. These spices and sweet perfumes are a picture of what Christ is to God. That’s why no human being was to use them.