October 14

A greater than Solomon is here. — Matt. xiv. 42.

IT is quite evident that God intended, in many respects, that Solomon should typify the person and kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. His name, which signifies "peaceable," belongs pre-eminently to the Saviour. Jesus is truly our peace-maker, he is the prince of peace. "In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." One of the chief blessings he bestows unto his people is the blessing of his peace. Solomon was the beloved son of the illustrious David, and Jesus is also called the offspring and son of David. As David was king of Israel, so the Father of Jesus is king of the whole earth, whose reign is boundless and eternal. Solomon was distinguished for his knowledge and wisdom. In Jesus all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom dwell: he is the exhaustless fountain of both. Hence he is styled the "wisdom of God." Solomon was monarch of Israel, and Jesus is king of Zion, and he reigns over the spiritual Israel of his church. Solomon's empire was extensive, and his reign prosperous and happy.

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Doth his successive journies run."

His empire is destined to be universal, and his glory shall ultimately fill the whole earth. But a greater than Solomon is here. Solomon was a mere man, exceedingly frail and imperfect, mortal in himself, and his kingdom and glory have long since passed away. Jesus is truly divine, the ever-blessed Son of God, whose nature was spotless, whose character was perfectly righteous, and whose kingdom shall endure throughout all generations. Let Jesus be the subject of our contemplations, the object of our supreme love and admiration, and let our souls be obedient to his holy and benevolent sway, so that we may be among his happy and loyal subjects on earth, and then partake of his felicity and glory in the world to come.