TITLE: PILLARS
JACHIN AND BOAZ
1 Kings 7: 21”Thus he set up the pillars at the porch of the nave; and he set up the right pillar and named it Jachin, and he set up the left pillar and named it Boaz. 22 On the top of the pillars was lily design. So the work of the pillars was finished.”
Jachin meaning —God will establish, support; and Boaz —God is strength, will be the two pillars that will guide you through this New Year!
Adjoining the entrance to the temple were two colossal brass pillars, “ 1 King 7:15- “Solomon fashioned the two pillars of bronze; eighteen cubits (30 feet -1 cubit = 1.5 feet) was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured the circumference of both.”These pillars were made of brass of the highest quality and they stood on stone footings and on the top of the pillars was lily design. The account in 1 Kings, chapter 7, indicates they were some 18-ft. in circumference and stood before the house of God. The account in 1 Kings, chapter 7, says they stood in the porch of the temple. God turned my attention to the above two pillars while I was meditating the book of Jeremiah which I would be sharing today.
What is special about the above two pillars:
Jachin and Boaz represent Jesus Christ! God made king Solomon erect the two pillars and keep them at the entrance so that people understand the presence of God in the Temple. God is our support and strength, the pillars remind us of that. Actually the two pillars were not kept to support the building because if you read the extensive details of the pillars, though huge the top does not support the building, it is beautifully decorated and kept in the porch, reminding us of the presence of God. God is our support!
JACHIN – SUPPORT: Acts 26:22 "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;"
Apostle Paul was able to say these words from the prison and he has been in the prison for considerable amount of time, the trial regarding his case was not over and it was delayed, with people in authority being changed, he has already been in the prison for two years.
• Acts 24:27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
• Acts 25:14 While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix;
• Acts 25: 27 "For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him."
Paul had to share his testimony with Felix, Festus and then king Agrippa too; however, he was mentioned as ‘there is a man’ –no name. There is a period in our life when we need to be insignificant, nameless, without proper address and recognition; however, Jachin-God will establish you! Say Amen. I’m often amazed at how God brings about new possibilities through what seems like an impossible situation. Today the name ‘Apostle Paul’ creates ripples of excitement, admiration and awe. Jachin-God will establish you! Say Amen.
The delay in your life is not because God has forgotten you but because there is a reason behind every delay, trial and pain in your life. Understand this and then go ahead to read the rest of this prophetic message that comes to you today!
Though in prison, lonely and in despair, Paul was able to confidently and with exuberance say “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today..” (Acts 26:22) God had a purpose in investing the best skills, education, astute, sharp brain, confidence, grit and guts for Paul so that he may be able to stand before kings and queens! Say Amen. While you think you are forgotten in a prison but look God is operating behind the scene to bring you before not ordinary but people of high cadre and the cream of society (the best). Consider yourself fortunate to suffer for God!
COVID 19 pandemic crisis, Stress, work pressure, late-night work, targets, projects, uncertainty, cut-throat ruthless competition, and what not have severely wounded the spirits of people; the question now is what they’re going to do about it. And the answer, I fear, is: not much. We seldom run to God for help, we try every other source other than His Sanctuary don’t we? For one thing, while the Christians have given up on hope, they haven’t given up on fear, though. Fear rules the hearts of people! While the ‘confidence-in-God theory’ appears to be well and truly buried in today’s world, scare stories remain popular. Faith-in-God and His power remains a myth because we have put God and His Word in the shelf and forgotten church, since we are busy tapping away our laptops on Sundays. Anybody listening? But Paul said, “having obtained help from God, I stand to this day!” Clap hands for God! Fear not! HE IS OUR HELPER!
David was able to sing, “You have been my help…” in the wilderness!
Psalms 63:7”Because You have been my help, my support, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.”
BOAZ OUR STRENGTH:
In the opening lines of 1 Chronicles chapter 29:1 , King David said “ my son Solomon is young and inexperienced’, yet, he goes on to say in verse 12” Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.”
David said, ‘you hand is power and might!’ When you have this knowledge, then you can boldly move forward in life. Glory to Jesus! With five rupees in my pocket I travelled out of the city without even money for the transport from the railway station to the venue of meeting; nevertheless, my needs were met step by step as God sent people to pick me up but I had to keep up my faith. After I received my first offering, I transferred it to my home since our kitty was empty. I would not be able to write this piece on ‘real strength’ if I had not been bold to travel with a five rupee coin. Today people want to read ten steps to success and ape the guidelines of someone else, not so friend, this is no magic, we got to go through the process of grinding if you want greatness. Anybody there?
I have had two major operations, after every operation though the doctors had recommended for 6 months rest, God had raised me from the bed within three months and made me run again, this is not for everyone though, don’t try it, when God picks you from the bed then with it comes the energy and stamina too. Glory to Jesus! Hey Beautiful, don’t stay in the bed for too long, get up and move on, I am speaking to someone who feels very low. Real strength comes from God !
STRENGTH IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING: Romans 8:26 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words..” Did you observe the words, ‘too deep for words..?” Hey friend, in our weakness when we know not what to pray, the Holy Spirit helps us. Hallelujah!
But mind you, as long as believers obey Him, He will be our strength and will cause us to endure. That’s the constant reminder of these two pillars.
PILLAR OF SALT:
When Lot’s wife disobeyed God’s command and turned back, she became a pillar of salt that was worthless, so today warning comes to us to not take the presence of God for granted but live a worthy life and keep the presence of God with us. Today people may ignore God, Bible, Church and still be prosperous and seem to be successful but remember they are just ‘pillar of salt.’ Are you listening? Don’t ape them and ruin your life!
Isaiah 40:31. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
PILLARS DESTROYED!
Jeremiah 52:20 The two pillars, the one sea, and the twelve bronze bulls that were under the sea, and the stands, which King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD--the bronze of all these vessels was beyond weight.
21 As for the pillars, the height of each pillar was eighteen cubits, and it was twelve cubits in circumference and four fingers in thickness, and hollow.
When the walls of the city were demolished, the pillars of the temple were pulled down too, which meant that SUPPORT AND STRENGTH has gone. When the presence of God leaves our life then we become like worthless salt. Mathew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
A pillar is raised in a place of discomfort! BETHEL!
Genesis 28: 18”So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz.
Sadly after this encounter with God, Jacob strayed away from God and lived in his muscle strength until after several years, God had to bring him back to Bethel! If you have strayed away from God, come back to Bethel, where you raised your pillow to become your pillar.
IRON PILLAR:
Jeremiah 1:18
Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land.
CORNER PILLARS:
Psalm 144:12
Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;
PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD
Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
Lead me to the Pillar:
Samson cried out towards the end of his life and said, ‘lead me to the pillar” from where Samson prayed a powerful prayer: "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." (Judges 16:28)
Come to the Pillar of fire today
Come to the Pillar of cloud today….
Nehemiah 9:12
“And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day,
And with a pillar of fire by night
To light for them the way
In which they were to go.
God bless you!
