HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 21.-Jachin and Boaz. No features in Solomon's temple have given rise to so much controversy as these two famous pillars; the beauty of which Jewish writers a.re never tired of recounting. They were marvels of the glyptio skill for which the Phrenician workmen were clistinguishecl. Homer speaks of such metallio work. In Il. xxiii. 741-744, he thus describes the prize o.ssigned by Achilles for the foot-race at the funeral of Patroclus- " A bowl of solid silver, deftly wrought, That held six measures, e.nd in beauty far Surpassed whatever else the world could boast ; Since men of Sidon, skilled in glyptic o.rt, Had made it, e.nd Phamician mariners Had brought it with them over the dark sea." (See oJso his description of Menelaus' gift to Telemachns, Od. iv. 614-618.) Hiram, the Phcenicia.n artificer, lent by the king of Tyre to Solomon, was specially skilled in !!lloh work (2 Chron. ii. 14). "In the plain of J orclan, in the cla.y ground between Succoth and Zartha.n," he cast these two great bronze pillars, ea.oh 17½ cubits high, with ca.pitals five cubits high, adorned with pomegrnnates, AI!d "nets of checker-work, and wren.the of chain-work." They were placed on the right and left of the porch of tho temple, and probably were not obelisks, but were necessary a,s "pillars" to support the roof, which was thirty feet in wiclth. That these were symbolic is evident from their names, which may be rendered, " Sta- bility" a,nd" Strength." The reference 1s not so much to the material building, but to the kingdom of God in Israel, which wa,s embodiecl in tho temple. 'rhey pointed then, and now, to the beauty and strength of the dwelling of God. I. TnE FASHIONING OF THE PILLARS. :M;1tde of bronze cast in the ea1-th. None 144 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [cu. vu. 1-51,
but the initiated would expect such an issue from such o. process. Picture the anxiety of those in charge when the mould was constructed, when the metal was molten, &o. Apply to the anxiety and care of those rearing the spiritual temple. 1. They were the product of human skill. This skill was devoutly recognized as the gift of God. Compare ver. 14 with the description ofBezaleel's artistic "gifts." If wisdom of that kind is from God, how much more is the highest wisdom needed for the upbuilding of the true temple (1 Cor. iii. 12-17). Turn to the promises of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, and of wisdom to all who seek. Refer to times of difficulty and anxiety in which only this heavenly help could avail the teachers and rulers of the Church. Observe such expressions as that in which Paul speaks of himself as" a wise mD,ster builder." Indicate special gifts still required by those who succeed to this work. "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God," &c. 2. They were the result of marvellous diligence. Years and generations of effort had made these artificers what they were, and now daily they applied themselves to their toil, nor was it without reward. Nothing great can be att(Lined in this world without work. God bas not made things pleasant by ordaining that the way to them should be easy, but He has made them precious by ordaining that the way shoulil be hard. The hardships endured by miners, pearl divers, agriculture.I labourers, &c. The strenuous toil of the student, the man of business, the explorer, the scientist, &c. No wonder that in the highest sphere diligence is essential. It is rE>quired for the upbuilding of our Christian character; e.g., "Give diligence to to make your calling . . . sure," &c. "Work out your own salvation," &c., "Not as though I had already attained," &c. Similar diligence is required by the Church for the evangelization of the world. Contrast the diligence shown in other purRuits with the indolence in 1.bis. 3. They were the product of combvned effort. Thi, wealth of Solomon was added to the skill of Hiram. Observe the diversity of workmen essential for the designing, moulding, fashioning, uprearing of these pillars. Each did bis own work, did it heartily, completely. All was not equally honourable, easy, remunerative; yet none neglected bis share of the toil. Speak of the mill.ions now constructing God's spiritual temple; bow the various races of men, how the differing sects of Christians, how the peculiar tastes and gifts of individuals, are rearing" the house not made with hands," "the habitation of God, through the Spirit." II. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE PILLARS. 1. Stability (Jachin). In this the temple was a contrast to the tabernacle. Yet even the temple and all that was material of the old worship passed away to make room for the spiritual realities which abide etemally. In Hebrews (xii. 27) we read of "the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." Show how, amidst the fall of empires, the Church has livecl, in spite of all that evil powers could do (Matt. xvi. 18). Speak of the safety, for time and eternity, of those who are in Christ (John x. 28), &c. 2. Strength. 'Jlihe Church needs more than endurance, it wants vigour. Resistance must be supplemented by aggression. Far more than the Jewish Church the Christian Church is to be characterized by this. The apostles were not merely to hold their own, but to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Only the active Church, only the active Christian, has a robust and wholesome life. Let "Boaz" stand beside" J achin." 3. Beauty. The lilies and pomegranates adorning the pillars not only showed that there should be be11uty in the worship of God, and that the noblest art should be consecrated to Him, Lut symbolized the truth de- clared in Psa. xcvi. 6, "Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary." Strength needs beauty to adorn it. Beauty needs strength to support it. Illustration: the ivy clustering round the oak. Let the courageous man be gentle; the stalwart man tender; the sweet girl morally strong, &c. If we would have it so, we shall find those graces in the holy place of God, the sacred place of prayer, whether public or secret, for strength n.nd beauty are in His sanctuary. Emblems of stability and strength, yet exquisite in their beauty, let Jach.in and Boaz, in the porch of the temple, remind us of what God would see in the Christian Church, and in every Christian chara.cter.-A. R. oe. vm. 1-66.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 145