按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
n； happy are these thy servants； which stand continually before thee； and that hear thy wisdom。〃 1 Kings 10：4…8； 2 Chronicles 9：3…6。
By the time of the close of her visit the queen had been so fully taught by Solomon as to the source of his wisdom and prosperity that she was constrained； not to extol the human agent； but to exclaim； 〃Blessed be the Lord thy God； which delighted in thee； to set thee on the throne of Israel： because the Lord loved Israel forever； therefore made He thee king； to do judgment and justice。〃 1 Kings 10：9。 This is the impression that God designed should be made upon all peoples。 And when 〃all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon； to hear his wisdom； that God had
68
put in his heart〃 （2 Chronicles 9：23）； Solomon for a time honored God by reverently pointing them to the Creator of the heavens and the earth； the Ruler of the universe； the All…wise。
Had Solomon continued in humility of mind to turn the attention of men from himself to the One who had given him wisdom and riches and honor； what a history might have been his！ But while the pen of inspiration records his virtues； it also bears faithful witness to his downfall。 Raised to pinnacle of greatness and surrounded with the gifts of fortune； Solomon became dizzy； lost his balance； and fell。 Constantly extolled by men of the world； he was at length unable to withstand the flattery offered him。 The wisdom entrusted to him that he might glorify the Giver； filled him with pride。 He finally permitted men to speak of him as the one most worthy of praise for the matchless splendor of the building planned and erected for the honor of 〃the name of the Lord God of Israel。〃
Thus it was that the temple of Jehovah came to be known throughout the nations as 〃Solomon's temple。〃 The human agent had taken to himself the glory that belonged to the One 〃higher than the highest。〃 Ecclesiastes 5：8。 Even to this day the temple of which Solomon declared； 〃This house which I have built is called by Thy name〃 （2 Chronicles 6：33）； is oftenest spoken of； not as the temple of Jehovah； but as 〃Solomon's temple。〃
Man cannot show greater weakness than by allowing men to ascribe to him the honor for gifts that are Heaven…bestowed。 The true Christian will make God first and
69
last and best in everything。 No ambitious motives will chill his love for God； steadily； perseveringly； will he cause honor to redound to his heavenly Father。 It is when we are faithful in exalting the name of God that our impulses are under divine supervision； and we are enabled to develop spiritual and intellectual power。
Jesus； the divine Master； ever exalted the name of His heavenly Father。 He taught His disciples to pray； 〃Our Father who art in heaven； hallowed be Thy name。〃 Matthew 6：9； A。R。V。 And they were not to forget to acknowledge； 〃Thine is 。 。 。 the glory。〃 Verse 13。 So careful was the great Healer to direct attention from Himself to the Source of His power； that the wondering multitude； 〃when they saw the dumb to speak； the maimed to be whole； the lame to walk； and the blind to see；〃 did not glorify Him； but 〃glorified the God of Israel。〃 Matthew 15：31。 In the wonderful prayer that Christ offered just before His crucifixion； He declared； 〃I have glorified Thee on the earth。〃 〃Glorify Thy Son；〃 He pleaded； 〃that Thy Son also may glorify Thee。〃 〃O righteous Father； the world hath not known Thee： but I have known Thee； and these have known that Thou hast sent Me。 And I have declared unto them Thy name； and will declare it： that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them； and I in them。〃 John 17：1； 4； 25； 26。
〃Thus saith the Lord； Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom； neither let the mighty man glory in his might； let not the rich man glory in his riches： but let him that glorieth glory in this； that he understandeth and knoweth Me；
70
that I am the Lord which exercise loving…kindness； judgment； and righteousness； in the earth： for in these things I delight； saith the Lord。〃 Jeremiah 9：23； 24。
〃I will praise the name of God； 。 。 。 And will magnify Him with thanksgiving。〃
〃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； Psalms 86：12； 34：3。
The introduction of principles leading away from a spirit of sacrifice and tending toward self…glorification； was accompanied by yet another gross perversion of the divine plan for Israel。 God had designed 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 Mediterranean 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
71
to be given。 Through the 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 failed of improving his splendid opportunities for enlightening those who were continually passing through his territory or tarrying at the principal cities。
The missionary spirit that God had implanted in the heart of Solomon and in the hearts of all true Israelites was supplanted by a spirit of commercialism。 The opportunities afforded by contact with many nations were used for personal aggrandizement。 Solomon sought to strengthen his position politically by building fortified cities at the gateways of commerce。 He rebuilt Gezer； near Joppa； lying along the road between Egypt and Syria； Beth…horon； to the westward of Jerusalem； commanding the passes of the highway leading from the heart of Judea to Gezer and the seacoast； Megiddo； situated on the caravan road from Damascus to Egypt； and from Jerusalem to the northward； and 〃Tadmor in the wilderness〃 （2 Chronicles 8：4）； along the route of caravans from th