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The fact of the matter is not that our past influences us today, but what part of it and in what manner do we allow it to impact our now. That statement is deep for me, I know, but it follows along with what we choose to set-up and what we do not choose to establish as memories that effect our present day.
Back in Biblical days there were ways of remembering more positive life events – the building of stone altars and the naming of them.Men like Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abram (Genesis 12:7), Isaac (Genesis 26:25), Jacob (Genesis 35:1-3), and Moses (Exodus 17:15) all used the altar as memorials to God’s great work(s) in their lives at that time. They would experience the intervention of God in their lives in some way and then to remember it they would construct an altar and worship The Lord. They typically named or titled the altar to signify the miracle or provision God had granted (i.e. “The LORD is My Banner” – Exodus 17:15). And the altar was made from stone not earth. Earth-made altars were for the purpose of sacrifices. Stone-made altars were for the purpose of honoring God. Exodus 20:24-26 is the basis for this idea –
“‘Make an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. Whenever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.'”
Men like Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, took this practice seriously. At every opportunity he built an altar to memorialize God’s work in his life. He even decorated his stones when God continued to bless a specific area of his life. This is recorded in Hosea 10:1 –
“Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.”
You know what else was used as a physical means of remembrance or memorial? Pillars. In the Old Testament, pillars were instruments of remembrance between humanity and between God and man (Genesis 28:18; 31:45; 31:51).
The human side of pillars in Scripture is displayed in such passages as when Samson used his strength and positioning of his body between the pillars of his enemy’s home to bring the house down (Judges 16:26). Absalom named a pillar after himself because he had no heir (2 Samuel 18:18). The temple that Solomon built had many wonderfully crafted pillars to adorn the property (1 Kings 7). An image of beautiful strength is displayed in Song of Songs 5:15. A picture of a steadfast city – “pillar of iron” is found in Jeremiah 1:18. All of these are examples of physical pillars that memorialize a person, city or event.
Switching to the New Testament and beyond, instead of pillars being designated as cities, temples, and piles of remembrance, the imagery and meaning of pillars is now assigned to Believers in Christ. The representation of pillars is now a sign of strength, steadfastness and dependability.
Paul, in his letter to the church in Galatia, singled out three brothers for this honor of being deemed – a Pillar of the Faith. James, Cephas and John were especially noted by Paul as having this distinction.
“James, Cephas [Peter] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.” (Galatians 2:9)
In essence, Paul was receiving a stamp of approval from three close disciples of Christ who “were by general consent looked up to as especially steadfast upholders of the truth of the gospel or of the Christian cause.” (Pulpit Commentary) The church in Galatia needed to hear the support of the Disciples in Jerusalem to lend more weight to Paul’s teachings. He got it, they got it and the world has never been the same. Need I say Paul is a Pillar of the Faith in his own right?
Every good quality that a pillar could stand for (pun intended) – I desire for myself and all my fellow Christians. The Scripture that ministers and challenges me here is Revelation 3:12 – “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.”
Christ makes being a pillar conditional, but then takes care of the condition. He says the state of victory is the prerequisite for being a pillar in the temple of His God, but then He takes care of the prerequisite. Christ said – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Perfection is found in Him. We still must journey through life, experiencing trouble in all its forms, but Paul reminds us – in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) Christ has the victory and our responsibility is to keep proclaiming His victories over our lives, and not worry about being perfect because first, He has covered perfection for us and second, “the one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.” All we have to do is trust in Him and finish our own journey or as Paul says, “race”.
Remember even God revealed Himself to His people as a Pillar of cloud by day and a Pillar of fire by night during and after the Exodus. God was a Living Memorial to His people of His continual presence in their lives as a pillar.
Are you a pillar in the house of God or a stilt? I pray you confess over yourself, by the Word of God that you are a Pillar and that you plan on establishing not only yourself as an example of faithfulness to God but set-up remembrances of God’s faithfulness in your own life. Altars and/or pillars are a wonderful thing for reflection, a wonderful thing for thanksgiving and a wonderful thing for sharing with others God’s Past With Us.