Jachin and Boaz. What does that mean?
By Dean Honeycutt
Mitchell County
Solomons Temple is one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. This Temple or House of the Lord was the most sacred place Jews worshipped the Lord. Its building and furnishings are described in First Kings chapters seven and eight. The Lord was so pleased with the heart of God’s people to follow Him, that at the dedication of the Temple, the Glory of the Lord filled the House of the Lord in a thick cloud. The presence of the Lord was evidenced by a thick cloud or dense fog that filled the Temple. Wow, could you imagine you and your family being in the presence of God like this?
The Temple was built on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem. This site has a very significant role in the Bible. It is the location of Abraham’s test to offer his son Isaac, where God stopped Abraham and provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of his son. A picture of the grace of Jesus Christ. It is also the threshing floor that King David purchased from Araunah the Jebusite. King David made an altar here and sacrificed to the Lord in repentance of sin to stay the hand of God and a pestilence God had sent on Israel.
In 1 Kings 7:21, King Solomon had two pillars constructed out of brass. These two pillars adorned the front porch of the Temple. These two pillars were twenty-five feet high, three inches thick, and seventeen feet in circumference. They were massive and beautifully adorned artwork. One pillar was named Jachin and the other Boaz. And the two names together mean the “Lord God establish you in strength”. This was very important to King Solomon and to all the people who worshipped the Lord. So, if you can just imagine for a moment walking up to this beautiful Temple and seeing these two pillars that reminded you of God’s grace and mercy.
The truth of God’s position and strength in the life of a believer is best understood in Psalm 46.
Psalm 46
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.
“1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
What desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
He burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
In First Kings 8:25 at the dedication of the Temple when King Solomon brought up the Ark of the Covenant to be placed in the Temple, he stood before the altar and prayed to the Lord God of Israel. He charged God’s people to conduct their life in a way pleasing to God. (1 Kings 8:22-27). God’s people celebrated the goodness of God. The Bible says they were “joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness the Lord had done for His people.”
Dad and Mom, we need these two symbolic pillars in our family to “establish us in strength”. Just as families would approach the Temple during Solomon’s time and see these two massive pillars Jachin and Boaz it would remind them of the foundation and strength they have in God. We live in a difficult world. It is getting further and further away from God. The Critical Race Theory, sexual perversion, political unrest, and affluence are creating a Godless society.
My prayer for the Christian family is for God to establish us in His strength. We are strong when we pray, read God’s word, and attend a God-fearing church. We can not dabble in sin and please God. We can not shake hands with the world and go with God. There is no such thing as a 50/50 Christian. We are either all in or we are all out. There is no such thing as a backsliding Christian. How far do you think you can backslide? According to the Bible not far.
Like two mighty pillars in the presence of God, May God establish and strengthen your family for His glory. And when people view your family, they see God’s glorious work.
Live life with “no Regrets”.
Lord Strengthen you, Pastor Dean
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.
____________________________________________
Pastor Dean Honeycutt shepherds Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. He may be reached at 828-385-0213, snowhillbaptist@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.snowhillbaptist.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Dean HERE.
_____________________________________________
