The Jerusalem Wall: Precious Stones Topped with Rubbish

Maclaren offers a haunting image from the very walls of Jerusalem itself—a picture of spiritual compromise made visible in stone. At the base of those ancient fortifications lie five or six courses of massive, squared blocks, 'the wonders of the world yet; well jointed, well laid, well cemented.' These represent gold, silver, and precious stones—the solid verities of Christ proclaimed and accepted as foundation.…