02.13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen The Golden and Silver Vessels
“Also pure gold for the flesh-hooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver” (1 Chronicles 28:17; 1 Kings 7:48; 1 Kings 7:50; 2 Chronicles 4:8; 2 Chronicles 4:11; 2 Chronicles 4:19). In the flesh-hooks, bowls, and covered bowls, some precious thoughts are suggested by the roots of the Hebrew words. These vessels of gold and silver were probably among the treasures of the House of God, laid up in the lower side-chambers of the Temple. Even so, God’s holy priesthood are stewards of sacred mysteries, the antitypes of these, to be the themes of adoring wonder and grateful praise to countless myriads throughout all eternity above. What more precious to the saints on earth or to the redeemed in glory than thoughts of the sufferings of Christ, His precious blood, His complete atonement! These are some of the things set forth by these instruments and vessels. The root of the Hebrew word for flesh-hook is “to draw out “—suggestive of the thought of the blood-shedding of Immanuel.
“The very spear that pierced His side, Drew forth the blood to save. “ The root of the word for bowl is “to sprinkle. “These bowls or basons were probably employed in carrying the blood into the Holiest when the blood of atonement was sprinkled there. It is the blood of Jesus which gives boldness of access within the vail. That rich atoning blood Which, sprinkled round, we see Provides for all who come to God An all-prevailing plea. “ The root of the word Cup—or, more properly, “cover “—is “to be hard, “and, when repeated, is employed to express the scales of a fish and scale armour, giving the thought of security and defence. What a shelter for the soul is the precious blood of Jesus! Over the blood-sprinkled habitations in Egypt the destroying angel passed. What an impenetrable scale armour it affords, combining freedom of action with perfect security. The word rendered basons here properly signfies “covered bowls. “The root of the word is “to cover, to expiate, to make atonement. “This suggests atonement fully made. What treasures for the treasuries of God! What memorials for eternity! What things for angels to look into! to be explained and unfolded by those who have been the subjects of redeeming grace in the ages of eternity to come.
—Our Daily Homily