1 Kings 7:22 And on the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished. Beauty is ever seen to best advantage in its natural alliance with strength. The lotus on the river, the dove in the cleft of the rock, the wife by her husband's side at church, the infant in the parent's arms, the voices of young men and maidens... blended, in harmony in the praise of the sanctuary, the wrestling power and child-like pleading at the throne, the force and tenderness of the Gospel, are combinations in nature and grace that are doubtless intended to teach us how all forms of strength may become beautiful, and all that is beautiful may become strong. Is it not when our Lord is seen in the might of His Deity and the peerless beauty of His humanity that He becomes to us all our salvation and all our desire? God in Christ is Omnipotence become beautiful to us in its condescension and love; Christ in God is our security and strength. When at last the Bridegroom shall come to take his Bride to Himself, and the Church puts on "her beautiful garments" to receive Him, when they enter the Father's house together, then strength and beauty in their completeness will be seen in the sanctuary. On the top of the pillars there will be lily work, and the work of the pillars will be finished. (W. Balgarnie.) Parallel Verses KJV: And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.WEB: On the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished. |
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