When we think of Solomon’s Temple, we think of GOLD—sparkling, glittering, and incredibly beautiful. We think: the Ark of the Covenant—with the angels and the mercy seat, the shining menorahs, the altar of incense, and the gilt doors carved with cherubim and palm trees—the whole interior literally drenched in GOLD.
Everything in Scripture means something. Whether it be the Tabernacle or the Temple, the layout or the furnishings or the materials—every single detail matters and is highly significant to the larger truth that it represents. The design of Solomon’s Temple was a creative collaboration between God, his father (King David), and himself. Like the Tabernacle before it, it was intended to be a lasting symbol of God’s relationship with Man … for all time.
In the design, Solomon used more than 3000 tons of gold—symbolic of God’s glory, majesty, and holiness—as well as over 30,000 tons of silver—suggesting redemption, purity, and truth. Such large amounts of gold and silver were also evidence of King Solomon’s power, wealth, and preeminence in the 10th Century BCE world.
But, if we could go back and climb the massive stone steps of that First Temple, our eyes would not see the gold. Gold was reserved for the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, and there was a clear divide between what was considered common and what was holy. Inside, everything was either solid or plated with pure gold. The outer court was for the common people, like us, and the furnishings there were not of gold … but of bronze. Brilliant bronze.
The first thing we would’ve seen as we entered the Temple courtyard was the massive bronze altar of sacrifice that Solomon had built—35 feet square and almost two stories tall! Next, we’d see the laver that was redesigned as a stunning bronze fountain, holding 16,500 gallons of water—a small SEA, indeed—and perched atop a compass of twelve bronze oxen. The amount of bronze used in those two pieces alone was staggering, but there was much, much more.
The chronicler of the project summed it up: “Huram completed the work he had been doing for King (Solomon) in the house of God—the two columns, the two capitals with 400 pomegranates and netting on top of the columns … the trolleys, basins, ash pots, shovels, forks and all the other equipment. All these articles that Huram the master craftsman made for King (Solomon) in the house of ADONAI were of brilliant bronze.” (2 Chronicles 4:11-16 CJB) The amount of bronze incorporated into the Temple was so vast that the scribes lost track of it altogether. “(Solomon) made so many of these objects that the total weight of the bronze could not be determined.” (2 Chronicles 4:18 CJB)
What is bronze? Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper. An alloy is created when a combination of metals bond at the molecular level to create a new material entirely. Therefore, bronze is seen as a powerful symbol of bonding and balance—a harmony of strength, refinement, and resolve. The bronze altar and laver represented for Israel a bonding of sin and repentance, forgiveness and cleansing. “Bronze is where God’s judgement deals with sin—only then can a person enter the pure and holy presence of God.“ —“The Meaning of Bronze in the Bible”, One For Israel
In the Temple, the Holy Presence of God was sealed in a vault of gold. Access to it was strictly off limits to everyone except for the priests—even Solomon himself would have been excluded. The very few that got in had to come via the “bronze road”—past the altar of sacrifice and the laver of cleansing. Nevertheless, access to the bronze altar was never restricted. Anyone and everyone who came bearing a sacrifice of repentance for their sin, always found a space available on the altar to accept it.
“The one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].” (John 6:37 AMP)
For us, God has similarly provided a “bronze road” as the way of salvation—it is Jesus. Jesus IS the Way. The ONLY Way. No man comes to God but by and through Him. We cry, “Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live” (Psalm 119:77) and Jesus replies, “Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He beckons us with immeasurable love to approach the altar—to truly repent of sin. The altar is sufficient for all who come bearing the sacrifice of their sins, their opinions, and their arrogance. No sin is too large for this altar, and none is too small … but ALL are left there. Like Solomon’s incalculable bronze, God’s love has no limit, His grace has no measure.
“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11-12 KJV)
Then, the “bronze road” leads to the laver of water with more than sufficient capacity for the washing away of every sin stain. The brilliance of the laver reflects to us our need for cleansing, but it’s the Blood of Jesus that does the work. “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” We may need to visit the altar many times with fresh sacrifices, but the washing at the laver is good forever—once and for all.
After the laver, the “bronze road” points us forward through an open door. His Holy Spirit beckons entrance into the golden glory of the Shekinah—the Holy Place of His Presence. Where we are IN Him and He IN us. Where we have access to the Light and the Bread of LIFE, where we can offer our praise and petitions as sweet incense to the LORD. No one can just stroll into the Holy Place unrepentant and unwashed. But, coming by the “bronze road” makes it possible—where we once would have been excluded, now we are welcome!
Jesus said that the road to hell was wide because many people are going that way. But, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14 KJV) If you’re looking for the way to LIFE, you can’t miss it— it’s paved with brilliant bronze!
The “BRONZE road” is hard—it’s doing things that are painful. It’s out in the open. It’s turning around, changing directions, and giving up things … and it’s blood and tears and submitting the body to washing. But then … when Jesus comes INSIDE, He changes your inner self, turning it inside out. Your heart, no longer commonplace, becomes the Holy Place where God is pleased to dwell. He redeems your soul into a sanctuary, holy and pure—a Temple of the Holy Ghost—and He gives you a heart of GOLD!
“When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as GOLD.” (Job 23:10 KJV)
