Post by Lee on May 3, 2014 22:19:33 GMT
Really interesting article on this 12th chapter in 1914 Christadelphian, written by editor.
here is a section from it...
Verse 6: “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.”
“The silver cord, ” the spinal cord, probably, because “silver,” and “loosed,” and so closely coupled with “the golden bowl.”
More generally the severed thread is a figure of the end of life: “I have cut off like a weaver my life” (Isa. 38:12).
“The golden bowl, ” the head, or skull. “Gol, a bowl reservoir, for oil upon the sacred candelabra, so called from its round form” (Gesenius).
Compare Golgotha, “a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17). And compare the vision of
Zechariah 4., of the candle-stick and bowl of gold; and the prayer of our hymn 172, based upon it:—
“Fill from Thy springs above Thine altar bowls.”
Brief and poor combustion of the spirit-oil, is all that is possible in “this corruptible,” and the time soon comes when “the golden bowl is broken.” But in the heavenly estate in Christ it is not so; the real “gold” will abide for ever.
“The pitcher broken at the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern.” The worn-out potter’s vessel (Jer. 19:1), or earthen pitcher (Lam. 4:2), can no longer draw or contain the water of life. But “with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light we shall see light” (Psa. 36:9). “But we have this treasure (the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 5:7). “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3). “If thou knewest the gift of God,” said Jesus, to the woman of Samaria, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (Jno. 4:10). “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38). “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).
These sayings illustrate the figure of the broken wheel and pitcher at the fountain.
The remainder is scarcely figure.
. Vol. 51: The Christadelphian : Volume 51. 2001 (electronic ed.) (24–25). Birmingham: Christadelphian Magazine & Publishing Association.
here is a section from it...
Verse 6: “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.”
“The silver cord, ” the spinal cord, probably, because “silver,” and “loosed,” and so closely coupled with “the golden bowl.”
More generally the severed thread is a figure of the end of life: “I have cut off like a weaver my life” (Isa. 38:12).
“The golden bowl, ” the head, or skull. “Gol, a bowl reservoir, for oil upon the sacred candelabra, so called from its round form” (Gesenius).
Compare Golgotha, “a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17). And compare the vision of
Zechariah 4., of the candle-stick and bowl of gold; and the prayer of our hymn 172, based upon it:—
“Fill from Thy springs above Thine altar bowls.”
Brief and poor combustion of the spirit-oil, is all that is possible in “this corruptible,” and the time soon comes when “the golden bowl is broken.” But in the heavenly estate in Christ it is not so; the real “gold” will abide for ever.
“The pitcher broken at the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern.” The worn-out potter’s vessel (Jer. 19:1), or earthen pitcher (Lam. 4:2), can no longer draw or contain the water of life. But “with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light we shall see light” (Psa. 36:9). “But we have this treasure (the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 5:7). “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3). “If thou knewest the gift of God,” said Jesus, to the woman of Samaria, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (Jno. 4:10). “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38). “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).
These sayings illustrate the figure of the broken wheel and pitcher at the fountain.
The remainder is scarcely figure.
. Vol. 51: The Christadelphian : Volume 51. 2001 (electronic ed.) (24–25). Birmingham: Christadelphian Magazine & Publishing Association.