Until 1964, no one had been able to find Zarthan, the clay grounds of Jordan, or any place with evidence of casting activity, near enough to Jerusalem, to have been used for the casting of vessels for the Temple. In 1964 a city was discovered that had been buried for nearly 3000 years that meets all the requirements. It’s now believed that they were cast of brass. ...and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and he called the name thereof Boaz. 1st Kings 7:21 (KJV) Yes, these pillars had names, and that in itself is significant. It suggests that they were not merely adornment these pillars meant something! – It is not important whether they were 18 or 35 cubits in height. It is not important whether or not they had spherical bodies at the top of them. It is not important where they were cast. It is not even important whether they were made of bronze or of stone. What is important is what they represent ...and considering what we know of King Solomon, I suspect that the meaning of those pillars nearly 3000 years ago was the same as it is today. They represent strength and establishment, power and control, the strength of Solomon, ruler of Israel, and his wisdom that we still speak of today. In each of the three degrees we lead the candidate between them. In many Lodges we pass between them each time we enter and leave the Lodge. Power, or strength, in any form can be used for good or evil. Each time we pass through or otherwise see those pillars we should be reminded that control without strength is meaningless; and that strength, without control, produces disaster. The lesson of the pillars is that positive results can only be achieved through a proper application of strength and wisdom. The newly made Fellowcraft reaches the base of the winding stairs by passing between two pillars. He is expected to climb by strength, and be guided by wisdom. He will need power to progress, but that power must be under control. He will rise by the might that is within him, and arrive at the top through the wisdom he gains along the way. Let us not forget the lesson of the pillars: Control without power is futile; Power without control produces disaster; Success comes from a proper balance of the two; Boaz on the one side and Jachin on the other.
Until 1964, no one had been able to find Zarthan, the clay grounds of Jordan, or any place with evidence of casting activity, near enough to Jerusalem, to have been used for the casting of vessels for the Temple. In 1964 a city was discovered that had been buried for nearly 3000 years that meets all the requirements. It’s now believed that they were cast of brass. ...and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and he called the name thereof Boaz. 1st Kings 7:21 (KJV) Yes, these pillars had names, and that in itself is significant. It suggests that they were not merely adornment – these pillars meant something! It is not important whether they were 18 or 35 cubits in height. It is not important whether or not they had spherical bodies at the top of them. It is not important where they were cast. It is not even important whether they were made of bronze or of stone. What is important is what they represent ...and considering what we know of King Solomon, I suspect that the meaning of those pillars nearly 3000 years ago was the same as it is today. They represent strength and establishment, power and control, the strength of Solomon, ruler of Israel, and his wisdom that we still speak of today. In each of the three degrees we lead the candidate between them. In many Lodges we pass between them each time we enter and leave the Lodge. Power, or strength, in any form can be used for good or evil. Each time we pass through or otherwise see those pillars we should be reminded that control without strength is meaningless; and that strength, without control, produces disaster. The lesson of the pillars is that positive results can only be achieved through a proper application of strength and wisdom. The newly made Fellowcraft reaches the base of the winding stairs by passing between two pillars. He is expected to climb by strength, and be guided by wisdom. He will need power to progress, but that power must be under control. He will rise by the might that is within him, and arrive at the top through the wisdom he gains along the way. Let us not forget the lesson of the pillars: Control without power is futile; Power without control produces disaster; Success comes from a proper balance of the two; Boaz on the one side and Jachin on the other.
TwoPillarsNotes.docx