Answers To Puzzler #6 and the Presentation Of Puzzler #7

Here are the answers to Puzzler #6

1. Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; Numbers 30:2 are reminders of the seriousness of the obligation (vow) that we made (multiple times in each degree of our Masonic journey), not only to each other but to the fraternity, in the presence of the GAOTU.  Before we violate our oaths, we really should remember that “stronger tie” that was formed. If you were not serious about Masonry, then you shouldn’t have taken the oath. Quite simply, since you have given your word, live up to it brothers.  See the full biblical references below:

• Deuteronomy 23:21-23 – When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you. However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.
• Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
• Numbers 30:2 – If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

2. James 2:20 Is a throwback to our learning about Jacob’s Ladder. It represents principal rung of Jacob’s Ladder and is one of the “three religious virtues-FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY”. This reference is about FAITH. But it also admonishes us to take our faith one step further and put it into action. Just as it is not enough to “say” or “believe” we are Masons, we must forever strive to use our working tools, bettering ourselves, and in doing so, bettering our communities. Masonry is not static or passive…it is active and working!

• James 2:20 – But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

3. Genesis 3:7 and Acts 19:12 are probably the most straightforward of these. These verses are actually the only two bible verses where the wearing of “aprons” is mentioned. (KJV)

• Genesis 3:7 – And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
• Acts 19:12 – And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

4. Genesis 3:22-24; Joshua 5:13-15; Nehemiah 7:1-3 really are the biblical authority for the one position in the lodge that we all have to pass by upon entering a just and duly constituted lodge that is open for business. His job is to watch for the approach of cowans AND eavesdroppers and see that none pass or re-pass except those with the permission of the Master of the Lodge. Of course this is the biblical reference for the TYLER. His job is to keep out the unworthy.

• Genesis 3:22-24 – And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
• Joshua 5:13-15 – And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
• Nehemiah 7:1-3 – Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

5. Exodus 3:13-15 This one is a little harder, because it requires that you make an association to something that we see every time we meet, but most often it does not register on our radar: the letter “G”. See we are taught that it is the first letter of the word Geometry and ALSO is the first letter we use in the word “GOD”.  So this passage is a wink at our teaching, because when Moses asked God directly, what shall a have my people call you, God gave him an answer. That is the ineffable name is represented by the letter “G” in our lodges. It serves as a suitable substitute for the answer God gave us in Exodus!

• Exodus 3:13-15 – And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

And now for Puzzler #7

After you gained admission through the inner door of KST, you were received by the WM, who informed you that you had arrived at a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. In that place you told that you would be received and recorded as such (a FC); which record was then made by the Secretary (by the orders of the Worshipful Master), and then you were presented with the wages of a FC…

Now, I will not give you some simple question, like, “what are the wages of a FC and what do they represent?” (The corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy –Peace, harmony and joy). We can probably recite the answer to this in our sleep. I want to ask only:

1. Why were the FC wages corn, wine, and oil? (please explain and give biblical reference for the answers)
2. How does this (particularly the corn) relate to the 1st or EA degree? (please explain and give biblical references as well.

Again, this one is short and sweet, but beware of pitfalls…

KEYWORDS: Corn, Wine, and Oil

Answer to Puzzle Seven