Results of Transgression
43
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honor
and power.”
“I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
And I will glorify Thy name forevermore.”
“O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 69:30
;
Revelation 4:11
;
Psalm 86:12
;
34:3
.
The introduction of principles leading away from a spirit of sac-
rifice and tending toward self-glorification, was accompanied by yet
another gross perversion of the divine plan for Israel. God had de-
signed that His people should be the light of the world. From them
was to shine forth the glory of His law as revealed in the life practice.
For the carrying out of this design, He had caused the chosen nation to
occupy a strategic position among the nations of earth.
In the days of Solomon the kingdom of Israel extended from
Hamath on the north to Egypt on the south, and from the Mediter-
ranean Sea to the river Euphrates. Through this territory ran many
natural highways of the world’s commerce, and caravans from distant
lands were constantly passing to and fro. Thus there was given to
Solomon and his people opportunity to reveal to men of all nations the
character of the King of kings, and to teach them to reverence and obey
Him. To all the world this knowledge was to be given. Through the
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teaching of the sacrificial offerings, Christ was to be uplifted before
the nations, that all who would might live.
Placed at the head of a nation that had been set as a beacon light
to the surrounding nations, Solomon should have used his God-given
wisdom and power of influence in organizing and directing a great
movement for the enlightenment of those who were ignorant of God
and His truth. Thus multitudes would have been won to allegiance
to the divine precepts, Israel would have been shielded from the evils
practiced by the heathen, and the Lord of glory would have been
greatly honored. But Solomon lost sight of this high purpose. He