Schools of the Prophets
35
of His people were thus broken down, and Solomon gave himself up
to the worship of false gods. On the summit of the Mount of Olives,
confronting the temple of Jehovah, were erected gigantic images and
altars for the service of heathen deities. As he cast off his allegiance
to God, Solomon lost the mastery of himself. His fine sensibilities
became blunted. The conscientious, considerate spirit of his early
reign was changed. Pride, ambition, prodigality, and indulgence bore
fruit in cruelty and exaction. He who had been a just, compassionate,
and God-fearing ruler, became tyrannical and oppressive. He who
at the dedication of the temple had prayed for his people that their
hearts might be undividedly given to the Lord, became their seducer.
Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored God.
The nation, of which he had been the pride, followed his leading.
Though he afterward repented, his repentance did not prevent the
fruition of the evil he had sown. The discipline and training that God
appointed for Israel would cause them, in all their ways of life, to
differ from the people of other nations. This peculiarity, which should
have been regarded as a special privilege and blessing, was to them
unwelcome. The simplicity and self-restraint essential to the highest
development they sought to exchange for the pomp and self-indulgence
[50]
of heathen peoples. To be “like all the nations” (
1 Samuel 8:5
) was
their ambition. God’s plan of education was set aside, His authority
disowned.
In the rejection of the ways of God for the ways of men, the
downfall of Israel began. Thus also it continued, until the Jewish
people became a prey to the very nations whose practices they had
chosen to follow.
As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the benefits
that God desired to give them. They did not appreciate His purpose
or co-operate in its execution. But though individuals and peoples
may thus separate themselves from Him, His purpose for those who
trust Him is unchanged. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14
.
While there are different degrees of development and different
manifestations of His power to meet the wants of men in the differ-
ent ages, God’s work in all time is the same. The Teacher is the
same. God’s character and His plan are the same. With Him “is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
.