Chapter 158. 1 Kings 7. 2 Chron. 4. The Furniture of the Temple.
IN the oracle, or most holy place, Solomon placed two cherubim made of olive wood, and covered with gold. The stretched-out wing of the one touched that of the other, in the center and the other wings respectively touched the opposite walls of the house; together, they spanned the whole width of the most holy place. The cherubim are the angels of God, who execute His judgments. Those that were upon the mercy seat over the ark of God, looked downward and inward toward it, where they saw the blood sprinkled there, which atoned for sin and averted judgment, but these looked outward saying as it were, “The wilderness journey is over, its failures at an end, judgment is forever past and gone.”
A veil of fine linen, woven in blue, purple and crimson, with cherubim embroidered upon it, hung between the most holy place and the holy. Man could not enter into God’s presence, for He had not come out in full blessing yet. But when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom, and the way to God was open. Jesus is that way, and now “we have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which He has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.” (Heb. 10:19, 2019Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:19‑20).)
There is nothing now to keep sinful man from God, except his own will. The judgment of a holy God has spent itself on Jesus at the cross, and all may boldly enter God’s presence without fear.
In the holy place, were tables of gold, five on one side, and five on the other, upon which were placed the twelve loaves of shewbread. These typified the Lord Jesus as the “Bread of Life,” the living bread of which if any man eats, he shall never hunger. Christ is the spiritual food that sustains the divine life.
There were also the dishes of gold, spoons and basins, which were used to contain and pour the frankincense upon the shewbread. Over and against the tables to give them light, were ten golden candlesticks. They were to burn continuously during the night. They were emblems of the Spirit of God, as the “true light,” who alone could let us see the beauties and glories of Christ.
Besides the candlesticks and the tables of shewbread, with the dishes, tongs, spoons, and everything necessary for the service of the temple, in the holy place was also the golden altar. It was made of cedar wood, overlaid with gold, and upon it, the high priest burnt incense morning and evening, as an offering to God. Of course, this also typified the Lord Jesus. He ever was as a “sweet savor” to God, who could say at the end, as well as at the beginning, of His ministry on earth, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
How great is the goodness of God to take such pains to put before us His Son in so many different and beautiful ways!
God delights in Him. What place do we, poor sinners, saved by His grace, give Him in our hearts?
ML 04/30/1916