Numb. xvii. 2. And of the Redeemer, it is said, with reference to his foes, "Thou shalt break them with a rod" (or sceptre) " of iron," Psa. ii. 9. Such appears to have been the sort of sceptre used in the time of Ezekiel; for we read in the parable of the wasted vine, under which the prophet represented Jerusalem, of "strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule," Ezek. xix. 11. This has led to the supposition, that the pastoral rod of the shepherd suggested the first idea of a rod as a symbol of authority and rule. And this is very probable; for it is well known, that the early condition of superior power, was compared to, and illustrated by, that which a shepherd exercised over his flock whence kings and chiefs were wont to, be called, both among the Hebrews and the heathen, "shepherds" of their people. : In after ages, these sceptres appear to have become walking staves of a distinctive fashion. Such are some which Egyptian sculpture represent; the distinction being chiefly in the form given to the head of the rod. Similar sceptres appear, also, to have been used in Persia; for the Persepolitan sculptures display one in the hands of the king, as a tall and straight staff, surmounted by a round head, and it is used by the monarch as a walking staff. This, we are informed in the book of Esther, was of gold, which is confirmed by Xenophon; probably, however, it was only studded with gold, or crowned with a golden head. Rods were used as sceptres by the monarchs leagued against Troy. Thus Homer sings of the rod of Achilles, in strains remarkably illustrative of an event recorded, Numb. xvii. 8: But hearken. I shall swear a solemn oath Nor boughs bring forth, as once; which having left COWPER. The same ancient author tells us, elsewhere, that these were adorned with studs and rings of gold. The sceptre, among the Hebrews, appears to have varied in form at different times. That which Saul used, as mentioned 1 Sam. xxii. 6, was probably a spear, distinguished from common spears by its size or ornaments. Some, however, conjecture this may have been a war sceptre, while the rod was the sceptre of peace. A distinction of this kind seems to have been made in Egypt, for their war sceptre was a massive mace, somewhat resembling the common sceptre : and that the spear was anciently used as a sceptre we learn from Justin, as cited by Bishop Patrick. Speaking of the early times of the Romans, he says, " In those days, kings hitherto had spears as signs of royal authority, which the Greeks call sceptres; for, in the beginning of things, the ancients worshipped spears for immortal gods; in memory of which religion, spears are still added to the images of the gods." DURING the period of their bondage, the Hebrews, it has been supposed, were employed, not only in the making of bricks, but in many mechanical arts. This supposition has arisen from the fact, that they were found, soon after their deliverance from that bondage, constructing a moveable temple, or tabernacle, and displaying in its construction remarkable skill in useful and ornamental manufactures. This knowledge, however, was confined to a few, and they derived it from a far higher source than Egypt. This we learn from the sacred historian, who has recorded the names and the families of the principal workmen, and attributed their superior excellence in their arts to Him, from whom cometh "every good and perfect gift." His testimony runs thus: "And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; and to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work," Exod. xxxv. 30-35. The particulars concerning the tabernacle are recorded, Exod. xxvi., a connected description of which has been thus happily given by an elegant writer, as a commentary thereon: "This tabernacle was of an oblong square figure, fifty-five feet in length by eighteen feet in breadth and height. Its length Y extended from east to west, the entrance being at the east end. The two sides and the west end consisted of a framework of boards, of which there were twenty to each side, and eight at the west end. The manner in which these boards were joined to each other, so as to form a wall which might easily be taken down and set up again, may be illustrated in some degree by a reference to the window shutters of an extensive shop; but the boards of the tabernacle did not slide in grooves, but each was furnished at the bottom with two tenons, which were received into sockets in the bases of solid silver; and to give the whole greater security, the boards were furnished each with five rings or staples of gold, by means of which they were successively run up to their proper places on horizontal poles or bars, which served as the ribs of the fabric, binding its parts together. The boards as well as the bars were of shittim wood, overlaid with thin plates of gold. The east end, being the entrance, had no boards, but was furnished with five pillars of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, and each standing on a socket of brass. Four similar pillars within the tabernacle, towards the west or further end, supported a rich hanging, which divided the interior into two apartments, of which the outer was called 'the holy place,' and the innermost and smallest was the most holy place,' or the 'holy of holies,' in which the presence of the Lord was more immediately manifested. The separating hanging was called, by way of eminence, the vail;' and hence the expression,' within' |