2:17) through the messengers of the good news (Rom. 10:15).
Who is the architect of the temple but the One who established "its foundations upon the mountains of the saints" (Ps. 86:2), resting upon the Prophets and Apostles? He is the one who builds as Paul articulates, "on the foundation of the Apostle and Prophet" (Eph. 2:20), where the Living Stone animates the stones of faith, just as the prophet noted (Zech. 9:16) that they roll together to form walls. Through their unity in faith and love, "the Holy Church" grows, fulfilling "the dwelling of God by the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21-22). Solomon's wisdom signifies true Wisdom, as history confirms he surpassed the boundaries of human understanding, possessing in his heart a vast reservoir of knowledge, making him unparalleled in comparison to others past and present. The Lord, by His very nature, embodies truth, wisdom, and power. As David articulated, "By wisdom hast Thou created all things" (Ps. 103:24), the Apostle rightly interprets this wisdom as Christ, stating, "By Him all things were created" (Col. 1:16).
It is also acknowledged by His adversaries that the Lord is the King of Israel, as evidenced by the inscription on the cross declaring "This is the King of the Jews" (Luke 23:38). We accept this testimony despite some perceiving it as a limitation of His authority, believing it confines Him solely to the kingdom of Israel. However, this claim implies a broader dominion, for proclaiming His kingship over part inherently acknowledges His sovereignty over all, as the King of the entire earth unquestionably reigns over specific regions.
Solomon’s dedication to righteous judgment embodies the true Judge of the world, who declares: "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22). He affirms, "I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear—My judgment is just" (John 5:30). This exemplifies the utmost sincerity in judgment—not issuing verdicts based on personal bias but first listening to those to be judged. Hence, God's power acknowledges this principle; for truth cannot contradict itself. Although it is affirmed that the Lord, in His humanity, is of the lineage of David, which is recognized broadly, we may refrain from further elaboration on this theme.
The account of the Queen of Sheba, who traveled great distances from her kingdom to seek Solomon for the sake of his wisdom, carrying gifts of precious stones, gold, and sweet spices (2 Sam. 10:10), becomes clear when linked to the miracles of the Gospel. It is well-known that the Gentile Church, prior to its recognition as the Church, was steeped in idolatry and distanced from true understanding of God, shrouded in great "ignorance" (Acts 17:30). However, when "the grace of God appeared" (Titus 2:11), true Wisdom broke forth, illuminating those dwelling in darkness and death's shadow. Since Israel turned away from this Light and distanced itself from the blessings, the Gentiles, embodied by the Ethiopians, approached in faith, becoming "near" (Eph. 2:13) after washing away their former darkness through the mysterious waters. Thus, "Ethiopia stretches out her hands to God" (Ps. 67:32), presenting gifts to the King (Ps. 71:10)—symbolizing piety, divine knowledge, and the precious gem of obedience to God's commandments.
Having established this, I begin our subsequent examination of the Scripture passages, summarizing their meanings. The text states: "King Solomon made himself a coffin of cedars from Lebanon. Its pillars are of silver; its covering is of gold; its seat is of purple; its interior is made of precious stone, surrounded by love from the daughters of Jerusalem."
In the exploration of Solomon's figure, the characteristics attributed to him reflect the mystery of the temple's design. The construction of the bier represents the building of ourselves, as God enriches those who are worthy of Him, existing in each one in accordance with their capacity and honor. Some serve as a dwelling for God, while others become thrones or footstools, and yet others transform into vessels for a good purpose, guided by a faithful Leader.
Furthermore, there is an additional aspect, where His bier is constituted not merely from Lebanon's cedars but also from gold, silver, purple, and precious stones, each tailored to its purpose, activated by the love of God. For not everyone can encompass the fullness of love, but should someone live rightly, it is said to reflect "the daughter of the free Jerusalem above" (Gal. 4:26).
Thus, one who harbors God within becomes a suitable vessel for Him who resides within. This is easily observable even before delving into further explanations; as exemplified by St. Paul, he asserts he no longer lives for himself but has Christ living within him (Gal. 2:20), testifying to "Christ speaking through me" (2 Cor. 13:3).
Nonetheless, our focus is to better understand the diversity and variety of materials used in the structure. Why is wood chosen for the construction of the bed, alongside gold, silver, purple, and stones? Paul, the "wise architect," considers wood unsuitable for building, as it is vulnerable to the destructive force of fire (1 Cor. 3:10-13). Yet, there exists a kind of wood that undergoes transformation, becoming gold, silver, or other precious items.
In God’s "great house," as the Apostle notes, there are "vessels of gold and silver," which likely refer to incorporeal and spiritual beings, while "wood and clay" symbolize us, who, through transgression, have become earthbound and flawed. The nobility of the substance determines the respect and purpose of each vessel: those made of more precious materials are designated for honorable service, while others are meant for lesser roles. What Paul conveys about such vessels is that it is possible for any vessel to choose to transform from wood to gold or from clay to silver; indeed, the Apostle states, "If anyone cleanses himself, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for every good work" (2 Tim. 2:20-21).
The mention of Mount Lebanon in Scripture often signifies a source of resistance. When we read in the Prophet, "The Lord will cut down the cedars of Lebanon and crush me" (Ps. 28:5-6), the text illustrates the notion of destruction, as was seen when Moses ground the golden calf into dust for the Israelites. This prophecy declares that not just the calamities from opposing forces but also the very mountain—the root of evil—will be rendered insignificant.
Thus, we once stood as trees in Lebanon, rooted in wickedness and idolatry. However, having been uprooted from Lebanon by the worldly axe and placed in the hands of the Master Craftsman, we were formed into something new, transformed into vessels of silver and gold, vibrant purple, and brilliant stones. As the Apostle teaches, "God distributes the gifts of the Spirit as He sees fit" (Rom. 12:6), assigning roles according to each one's calling, some serving as "eyes," others as "hands," and yet others as "feet" in the body of Christ. In the assembly of the bier, one serves as a "pillar," another as an "arm," and some as components that support the head, while others are designated for interior decoration.
All parts are crafted with beauty, yet manifest different and fitting aesthetics according to their role. The "pillars" of the bier symbolize the pillars of the Church, whose teachings are like refined silver (Ps. 11:7). The purple symbolizes those elevated to the kingdom, recognized as the emblem of royal stature, while the gold represents the purity of doctrine upon which the Bridegroom rests His head. The hidden virtues, adorned with the jewels of a clear conscience, are encapsulated by "love from the daughters of Jerusalem."
If one chooses to see the Church as a bier, determining its components based on the varied roles within the community, it becomes fitting for the Word to correlate the bier's elements with the various ranks established in the Church, as the Apostle declares, "God has appointed in the Church first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers" (1 Cor. 12:28), all for "the perfecting of the saints" (Eph. 4:12). Thus, the structures forming the bier reference priests and teachers, while the sacred virginity within the faith radiates with the purity of virtue, symbolizing the luminescence of precious stones. This suffices for clarity.
THEOSIS