Notice the two pillars in front

Well, if you’re reading this post, I guess you didn’t “make the cut” for the rapture that according to some folks, who apparently didn’t quite understand Matt 24:36 very well, God was supposed to precede the end of the world happening sometime in October of this year. I read on Facebook that someone planned on putting out some clothes on the sidewalk to resemble someone who’d been “raptured”. Cute. But back to the Bible reading action. 🙂

Because so much of the content these three chapters have already been read and commented on as we read through 1 Kings, I thought I’d truncate my remarks to the two pillars that solomon put in front of the Temple.

It was a common architectural feature to put pillars in front of Temples in the ancient world. They appear to not be pillars that supported anything, rather they stood as memorials. In this respect Solomon’s Temple wasn’t different. But Solomon was interested in more than just another architectural frippery; he named them Jachin and Boaz. These names weren’t terribly uncommon in everyday Israelite life; in fact, Solomon’s great-great-grandfather’s name was Boaz; but names in Israel (as in a lot of places in the world) had meanings.

Jachin meant”Let this [Temple] stand forever”. It’s basic meaning was/is “firm” and was Solomon’s hope that what he was building and the purpose for which he was building it would indeed stand firm forever!

Boaz meant “strength and endurance” (Keil and Delitzsch quoting Kimchi on 1 Kings 7:21). It was Solomon’s desire that this Temple have enduring strength for its purpose.

The Temple of the Lord today is the church.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22, NAS95.

It is doubtlessly Jesus’ desire that such (metaphorical) pillars still stand before His Temple (please note that I didn’t say “church buildings”, Jesus real Temple, the church, the saved — “Let this [Temple] stand forever” and “Strength and endurance”. It fits right in with Jesus’ famous statement about the church, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18, NAS95 — “Let this [Temple] stand forever” and “Strength and endurance”. That happens when the church remains faithful to the New Testament pattern: teachings, worship, morality, daily discipleship, love for one another, etc.

But you know, Paul calls us individually Temple of God, of the Holy Spirit — “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19, NAS95. Doubtlessly, the Lord would like us to have the metaphorical pillars in front of us — “Let this [Temple] stand forever” and “Strength and endurance”. What would this mean in your life? Where is your foundation weak that might cause your temple to totter? Are you operating on spiritual “fumes” in regard to strength and endurance? Prayer is important. Reading the word is important, talking to an elder or trusted brother or sister is important. The pillars are reminders of Jesus’ desire for us; let them remind us and prompt us to action.

See you tomorrow, Lord willing.