The Pillars of the Earth

2024-02-13

The Bible says that the earth has pillars. What might these be?

Hannah mentioned these in her song of praise. “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them” (1 Samuel 2:8). These pillars are from the LORD, and He placed the world on these pillars. Because of this, we can trust in His strength.

Job mentioned these in his discourses. “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble” (Job 9:4-6). God is all powerful, moving mountains and shaking the earth. These pillars tremble, which leads me to think these are the same as tectonic plates. Because the Lord can do these things, we fear Him alone.

Asaph the psalmist referred to these as well. “The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah” (Psalms 75:3). The strength of these pillars to hold up the earth is derived from the LORD. All true strength comes from Him; He is more powerful than anything.

Even the heavens are said to have pillars! “The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof” (Job 26:11). Recall that one day even the heavens will be shaken. “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven” (Hebrews 12:26).