Symbols That Remind

II Chronicles 4:18–22

“All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated. Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in God’s temple: the golden altar; the tables on which was the bread of the Presence; the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold); the pure gold wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and censers; and the gold doors of the temple: the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall.”

The Living Life writer tells us that the middle section of the temple called the Holy Place is furnished with important objects: “ten golden lampstands, the table of bread, and the altar of incense. Each of these helps Israel to remember God’s presence and provision in the desert after they left Egypt.” The Bible through king Solomon encourages us all to remember now our creator (Ecc 12:1), and the king built the temple that housed these symbols to help the Israelites do exactly that. For us today, the Living Life writer continues, These “also have a deep meaning for us as they signify aspects of Christian living. The lamps represent the illumination of God’s Spirit through His Word. The bread signifies the union of God’s people as the body of Christ. And the incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints.” The LORD also left us symbols of His new covenant, St. Paul relates to us an earlier tradition, “for I received from the LORD what I also passed on to you: that the LORD Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the LORD’s death until He comes (II Cor 11:23–26).”