Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 30
XXX. How the Doors of the Temple were adorned.
AND Solomon carved upon the Doors Cherubims, Palm-trees, and open Flowers, and overlaid them all with Gold, 1 King. 6.35. Ezek. 41.15.
He carved Cherubims thereon; These Cherubims were Figures, or Types of Angels, and for as much as they were carved here upon the Door, it was to shew,
First, What delight the Angels take in waiting upon the Lord, and in going at his bidding, at his beck. They are always waiting like Servants at the Door of their Lord's house.
Secondly, It may be also to shew how much pleased they are to be where they may see sinners come to God. For there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth and comes to God by Christ for mercy, Luke 15.10.
Thirdly, They may be also placed here to behold with what reverence, or irreverence, those that come hither to worship, do behave themselves. Hence Solomon cautions those that come to God's House to worship, that they take heed to their feet, because of the Angels. Paul also says, Women must take heed that they behave themselves in the Church as they should, and that because of the Angels; Eccles. 5.1, 2, 6. 1 Cor. 11.10.
Fourthly, They may also be carved upon the Temple Doors, to shew us how ready they are, so soon as any poor Creature comes to Christ for life, to take the care and charge of its conduct thorow this miserable World: Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister for those which shall be heirs of salvation? Heb. 1.14.
Fifthly, They may also be carved here, to shew that they are ready at Christ's command, to take vengeance for him, upon those that despise his People, and hate his Person. Hence he bids the world take heed what they do to his little ones, for their Angels behold the face of their father which is in heaven, and are ready at the Door to run at his bidding, Matt. 18.10.
Sixthly, Or Lastly, They may be carved upon these Doors, to shew that Christ Jesus is the very Supporter and Upholder of Angels, as well as the Saviour of sinful Man: For, as he is before all things, so by him all things consist; Angels stand by Christ, Men are saved by Christ, and therefore the very Cherubims themselves, were carved upon these Doors, to shew they are upheld, and subsist by him, 1 Cor. 8.6. Col. 1.17. Heb. 1.3.
Secondly, Again, as the Cherubims are carved here, so there were Palm-trees carved here also. The Palm-tree is upright, it twisteth not it self awry; Jer. 10.5.
1. Apply this to Christ, and then it shews us the uprightness of his heart, word, and ways with sinners. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will be teach sinners in the way, in at the Door to Life; Psal. 25.8. Psal. 92.15.
2. The Palm or Palm-tree is also a token of victory, and as placed here, it betokeneth the conquest that Christ the Door should get over Sin, Death, the Devil, and Hell, for us; Rom. 7.24. chap. 8.37. 1 Cor. 15.54, 55, 56. Revel. 7.9, 10, 11.
3. If we apply the Palm-tree to the Church, as we may; For she also is compared thereto, Song 7.8, 9, 10. Then the Palm-tree may be carved here, to shew, That none but such as are upright of heart and life, shall dwell in the presence of God. The hypocrite, says Job, shall not come before him. The upright, says David, shall dwell in thy presence, Job 13.16. Psal. 24.3, 4.
They are they that are clothed in white Robes, which signifies uprightness of life, that stand before the Lamb with Palms in their hands; Revel. 7.9.
Thirdly, There was also carved upon these Doors open Flowers. And that to teach us that here is the sweet scent and fragrant smell, and that the coming Soul will find it so in Christ, this Door. I am, saith he, the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Vallies; And again, * His Cheeks are as Beds of Spices and several Flowers, his Lips like Lilies drop sweet smelling myrrhe, Song 2.1. chap. 5.13.
Open Flowers: Open Flowers are the sweetest, because full grown, and because, as such, they yield their fragrancy most freely. Wherefore, when he saith, upon the Doors are open Flowers, he setteth Christ Jesus forth in his good favours, as high as by such similitudes he could. And that both in Name and Office. For open Flowers, lay, by their thus opening themselves before us, all their beauty also most plainly before our Faces. There are varieties of beauty in open Flowers, the which they also commend to all observers. Now upon these Doors, you see are open Flowers, Flowers ripe, and spread before us, to shew that his Name and Offices are savory to them, that by him do enter his house to God his Father, Song 1.1, 2, 3, 4.
All these were over-laid with fine gold. Gold is most rich of all Metals, and here 'tis said the Doors, the Cherubims, the Palm trees, and open Flowers, were overlaid therewith. And this shews that as these things are rich in themselves, even so they should be to us.
We have a Golden Door to go to God by, and golden Angels to conduct us thorow the World: we have golden Palm-trees, as tokens of our victory, and golden Flowers to smell on all the way to Heaven.