Solomons Temple Spiritualized, Chapter 46
XLVI. Of the Golden Tongs belonging to the Temple.
THere vvas also Tongs of Gold used in the Temple of old, 1 King. 7.49.
1. These Tongs vvas used about the Altar, to order the fire there.
2. They vvere used too, about the Candlestick, and are therefore called HIS Tongs.
3. Perhaps there vvas Tongs for both these Services, but of that the Word is silent.
But what were they used about the Candlestick to do?
Answ. To take holy fire from off the Altar to light the Lamps vvithal. For the fire of the Temple vvas holy fire, such as at first, vvas kindled from Heaven, and vvhen kindled, maintained by the Priests, and of that the Lamps were lighted, Levit. 9.24. 2 Chro. 7.1.
Nor vvas there, upon pain of death, any other fire to be used there, Levit. 10.1. These Tongs therefore was used to take fire from off the Altar, to light the Lamps and Candlesticks withal. For to trim the Lights, and dress the Lamps, was Aaron's vvork day by day, Exod. 40.24, 25. Levit. 24.2, 3. Numb. 8.3. He shall light and order the Lamps upon the pure Candlestick before the Lord, and Aaron did so: he lighted the seven Lamps thereof, as the Lord commanded Moses.
What is a Lamp or Candlestick to us, if there be not light thereon; and hovv lighted vvithout fire, and hovv shall vve take up Coals to light the Lamps withal, if vve have not Tongs prepared for that purpose?
With these Tongs fire also vvas taken from off the Altar, and put into the Censers to burn svveet Incense vvith, before the Lord. The Tongs then vvere of great use in the Temple of the Lord.
But what were the Tongs a type of?
The Altar vvas a type of Christ, the fire, of the Holy Ghost; and these Tongs vvere a type of that holy hand of God's grace, by vvhichwhich the COALS, or several dispensations, and gifts of this Holy Ghost are taken and given to the Church, and to her Members, for her vvork and profit in this World.
Tongs, vve knovv, are used instead of fingers, vvherefore Aaron's golden Tongs, vvere a type of Christ's golden fingers: Song 5.14:
Isaiah saith, That one of the Seraphims flew to him with a live Coal in his hand, which he had taken with the Tongs from off the Altar. Here the type, and antitype, to wit, Tongs, and hand, are put together: (Isa. 6.) But the Prophet Ezekiel treating of like matters, quite waves the type, the Tongs, and speaketh only of this holy hand. And he spake to the man cloathed with linnen, and said go in between the wheels under the cherub, (where the mercy-feat stood, where God dwelt, Exod. 2. Psal. 80.1.) and fill thy Hand with Coals of fire from between the Cherubims, Ezek. 10.2.
Thus you see our golden Tongs, are now turned into a golden hand; into the golden hand of the man clothed in linnen, which is Jesus Christ, who at his ascension received of God the Father the Spirit in all fulness, to give, as his Divine wisdom knew was best, the several Coals or Dispensations thereof unto his Church, for his praise, and her edification; Matt. 3.11. Acts 2.
'Tis by this hand also, that this holy fire is put into our Censers. 'Tis this hand also that takes this Coal, therewith to touch the Lips of Ministers, that their Words may warm like fire: And 'tis by this hand that the Spirit is given to the Churches, as returns of their holy prayers; Luke 11.1, 2. Rom. 8.26. Rev. 8.5.
'Twas convenient that the fire in the Temple should be disposed of by golden Tongs, but the Holy Ghost, by the golden hand of Christ's grace, for that can wittingly dispose of it, according as Men and things are placed, and to do and be done in the Churches. Wherefore he adds, And one Cherub stretched forth his hand from between the Cherubims, unto the fire that was between the Cherubims, and took thereof and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with Linnen, who took it and went out, Ezek. 10.7.
By this hand then, by this man's hand, the Coals of the Altar are disposed of, both to the Lamps, the Candlesticks, the Censers, and the Lips of Ministers, according to his own good pleasure. And of all this was the Tongs in the Temple a Type.