Judah-his insignia was that of Lion
Dan-his insignia was that of eagle
Ephraim- his insignia was that of an ox
Reuben- His insignia was that of a man
These same four faces can be seen demonstrated in the four beasts who worship before God in
Revelation 4:6-7 and in Ezekiel's vision 1:10
Many people parallel this to the four gospels equating :
Luke which portrayed much of Jesus's humanity (man)
Mark which portrayed much of Jesus's servants heart (ox)
Matthew which portrayed much of Jesus's Kingship (lion)
John which portrayed much of Jesus's Deity (eagle)
One thing is certain- the only way into the presence of God had to began with a trip to the brazen (brass or bronze is always used to signify judgment) alter- from this alter of blood sacrifice it was a straight walk to the Holy of Holies (God's manifest presence) but there would be many other stops to make first-
the alter was large enough to contain the sacrifice and was built with a horn on each corner as the freshly slain sacrifice would need to be tied down (much like you and I ) when it was placed in the purifying fire it would spasm and flip of. This alter of sacrifice was the place were the price of sin was paid and no man would ever enter into God's Holy Presence without the shedding of blood and the taking of an innocent life- this and this alone was the answer - While it was a huge and imposing sight it was also a place where the children of God would come to worship- the is a representation of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross.
The next step for a priest to enter God's presence was the brazen laver- this was thought to be a large round bowl held up an a pedestal- it was made entirely of polished brass mirrors that the women of the congregation had donated (
Exodus 38:8) - it acted a a large mirror and it's purpose was for self inspection and cleansing before proceeding into more intimate proximity to God's manifest presence - while it to was brass (judgment) it was used to cleanse one who had already been forgiven thru blood sacrifice on the alter and can be compared to the sanctification of the believer:
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
The Word is were we wash and inspect our lives, it is the method of purification of God's children today.