Psalm 24:4  
Clean hands
     As we have seen in the previously, it was strictly only priests who could enter the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and stand in the Holy Place. However, times had changed; David had overcome the Philistines, eventually, and established his throne in Jerusalem. During the lifetime of Samuel and the reign of King Saul and these early days of David’s reign, the Ark of the Covenant had remained in limbo in Judah at Kiriath Jearim. (About 9 miles west of Jerusalem.) It was kept in the house of a man called Abinadab, maybe for 50-60 years! In fact David had to search for it and the wonderful Psalm 132 sets out the whole story of how it came to be found and transported to Jerusalem. The account of its final journey to the new City of David is set out in 1 Chronicles 13 and 2 Samuel 6. David had prepared a tent for the Ark and a day of great jubilation accompanied its coming to the City. There is no doubt that most of the ritual and mystique had been lost over time and it was now up to this vibrant and godly young king to restore the sacred Ark to its rightful place of honour in the community of Israel. David danced his socks off that day with excitement and joy, much to the disdain of his wife Micah! 
We know that, during this time, priests and Levites were appointed to serve the nation before God, Zadok and Abiathar are two names that come up later in the story of David. However, the true glory and wonder of the Tabernacle and its sacred objects would not resurface until Solomon built his Temple many years later. So, who could approach the Holy Place in David’s time? He cites four qualifications and it’s important to look carefully at each of them for we have no Tabernacle nor do we need one, but we are priests who are called to serve in the holy presence of our God. Who then can serve?
·      The one who has clean hands
Before a priest could enter the Holy Place he must wash his hands. The golden laver made for this purpose became a sophisticated object in the temple years, where taps and troughs allowed feet to be washed too! This washing may have been symbolic, but it was also important. What if the priest had blood on his hands? What if he was tainted by touching a sick worshipper or even by excrement from his own body? The Law cited many instances whereby a man could be unclean, so the hand washing was essential. He was about to enter the presence of Almighty God, to visit the Table of Shewbread, the Golden Menorah and the Altar of Incense; the very Holy of Holies was a mere few feet away. Of course he must be clean! 
Do we take time to be clean before we enter the presence of God? Do we allow the “washing of the water of the Word” before we plough into our prayers and meditations. 1 John 1:9 comes to mind, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Surely it is essential that we “wash our hands” before we enter the presence of our Holy Father. 


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