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Bible Dictionaries
Lattice
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary
or The manner of building in the east differs so totally from the custom of other countries, that it renders many parts of the word of God less intelligible on this account. Dr. Shaw, in his travels, hath given upon several occasions many circumstantial particulars of the construction of their houses in Palestine, and, among the many, of their plan of the lattices used in the terrace, and in the other parts of their buildings. For the most part, the windows open into their own courts, except a latticed window, or balcony, that for conveniency is formed to look into the street. And this retirement and secrecy forms a lively representation, suited to the natural jealousy of the people. But the latticed window, or balcony, formed the only opening for communication (except the entrance) with the public street, It was at this lattice-work window, most probably, that Jezebel looked out at the time that Jehu entered into Jezreel. (2 Kings 9:30) Now, from this account, it is easy to apprehend the beauty of that expression of the church concerning the Lord Jesus, and the extent of that indulgence he shewed her upon the occasion. "My beloved (said she) standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice." (Song of Song of Solomon 2:9) The manner in which the church introduceth her observation, with a note of admiration, behold! speaks the high sense. She had of the condescending goodness of her Lord. There was but this one opening from the house; and such is the retired privacy of all the inhabitants, that it is only on special occasions the lattice window is made use of. But such was my Lord's grace towards me, (saith the church) that from hence, as the most open place of communication, he shewed himself to me. Though Jesus might be said to stand behind our wall; that is, perhaps, through a vail of flesh, to manifest himself to his people while on earth, and to look forth at the windows of his grace; that is, when in the ordinances of his word he doth distinguish himself to them otherwise than he doeth to the world; yet, through those lattices, he makes known what he is, and what his love to his people is, and ever will be, until the shadows flee away, and the day break of the everlasting morning shineth in upon the soul, and the sun of his redeemed ariseth no more to go down, neither the moon to withdraw his shining, but the Lord himself becometh their everlasting light, and their God their glory. (Isaiah 60:19)
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Hawker, Robert D.D. Entry for 'Lattice'. Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance and Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/pmd/l/lattice.html. London. 1828.
