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The Retirement Years
climbing the mountain but are descending and facing the western
sun. We expect to see defects in the characters of youth who are not
controlled by love and faith in Jesus Christ. We see youth wavering
between right and wrong, vacillating between fixed principle and the
almost overpowering current of evil that is bearing them off their feet
to ruin. But of those of mature age we expect better things. We look
for the character to be established, for principles to be rooted, and for
them to be beyond the danger of pollution.
But the case of Solomon is before us as a beacon of warning.
When thou, aged pilgrim who hast fought the battles of life, thinkest
that thou standest, take heed lest thou fall. How, in Solomon’s case,
was weak, vacillating character, naturally bold, firm, and determined,
shaken like a reed in the wind under the tempter’s power! How was
an old gnarled cedar of Lebanon, a sturdy oak of Bashan, bent before
the blast of temptation! What a lesson for all who desire to save their
souls to watch unto prayer continually! What a warning to keep the
grace of Christ ever in their heart, to battle with inward corruptions
and outward temptations!—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031,
1032
.
Worldly Renown versus Godly Integrity
It has been said of men of gray hairs that there is no danger of their
shrinking from their post of duty; but in the case of Solomon, when
he became old, we learn that he lost his connection with God. And
why?—Because he sought after the renown, honor, and riches of this
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world; because he took wives from among the idolatrous nations, and
became allied with those nations. It is true that by this alliance he
brought gold from Ophir and silver from Tarshish; but it was at the
expense of virtue, of principle, of integrity of character.
All through the history of the Jewish nation we see that the people
of God, whether old or young, had to keep themselves distinct and
separate from the idolatrous nations around them. God has a people
today; and it is just as necessary now as anciently that His people
should keep themselves distinct and separate, pure and unspotted from
the world, its spirit, and its influences, because the world sets up a
standard opposed to the standard of truth and righteousness.—
The
Review and Herald, January 4, 1887
.