Chapter 4—Results of Transgression
Prominent among the primary causes that led Solomon into extrav-
agance and oppression was his failure to maintain and foster the spirit
of self-sacrifice.
When, at the foot of Sinai, Moses told the people of the divine com-
mand, “Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them,”
the response of the Israelites was accompanied by the appropriate gifts.
“They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom
his spirit made willing,” and brought offerings.
Exodus 25:8
;
35:21
.
For the building of the sanctuary, great and extensive preparations were
necessary; a large amount of the most precious and costly material
was required, but the Lord accepted only freewill offerings. “Of every
man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering,”
was the command repeated by Moses to the congregation.
Exodus
25:2
. Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice were the first requisites
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in preparing a dwelling place for the Most High.
A similar call to self-sacrifice was made when David turned over to
Solomon the responsibility of building the temple. Of the assembled
multitude David asked, “Who then is willing to consecrate his service
this day unto the Lord?”
1 Chronicles 29:5
. This call to consecration
and willing service should ever have been kept in mind by those who
had to do with the erection of the temple.
For the construction of the wilderness tabernacle, chosen men were
endowed by God with special skill and wisdom. “Moses said unto
the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel, ...
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 He hath put in his heart that he may teach,
both he, and Aholiab, ... 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, ... and of the
weaver, even of them that do any work.... Then wrought Bezaleel and
Aholiab, and every wisehearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom
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