Basic HTML Version
36
Royalty and Ruin
was so careful to direct attention from Himself to the Source of His
healing power, that the multitude, “when they saw the mute speaking,
the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing,”
did not glorify Him, but “glorified the God of Israel.”
Matthew 15:31
.
“‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty
man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but
let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows
Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23, 24
.
Another Gross Perversion of God’s Plan
Another perversion of the divine plan accompanied the drift
toward self-glorification. God had designed that the glory of His law
was to shine forth from His people. To carry out this plan, He had
placed the chosen nation in a strategic position among the nations of
earth. In the days of Solomon the kingdom extended from Hamath
on the north to Egypt on the south, and from the Mediterranean
Sea to the river Euphrates. Many natural highways of the world’s
commerce ran through this territory, and caravans from distant lands
were constantly traveling on them. Because of this, Solomon and
his people had opportunity to reveal to all nations the character of
the King of kings and to teach them to reverence and obey Him.
Through the sacrificial offerings, Christ was to be uplifted so that all
might learn about the plan of salvation.
Solomon should have used his God-given wisdom and influence
in directing a great movement to enlighten those who were ignorant
of God and His truth. Multitudes would have been won, Israel would
have been shielded from the evils that the heathen practiced, and the
Lord would have been honored. But Solomon lost sight of this high
purpose. He failed to share the light with those who were continually
passing through his territory.
A spirit of commercialism replaced the missionary spirit that
God had implanted in the hearts of all true Israelites. People used
the opportunities presented by contact with many nations to enrich
themselves. Solomon set out to strengthen his position politically by
building fortified cities at the gateways of trade. He developed the
[27]