prophets and kings-第12章
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aith 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
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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 the east。 All these cities were strongly
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fortified。 The commercial advantages of an outlet at the head of the Red Sea were developed by the construction of 〃a navy of ships in Ezion…geber； 。 。 。 on the shore of the Red Sea； in the land of Edom。〃 Trained sailors from Tyre； 〃with the servants of Solomon；〃 manned these vessels on voyages 〃to Ophir； and fetched from thence gold；〃 and 〃great plenty of almug trees； and precious stones。〃 Verse 18； 1 Kings 9：26； 28； 10：11。
The revenue of the king and of many of his subjects was greatly increased； but at what a cost！ Through the cupidity and shortsightedness of those to whom had been entrusted the oracles of God； the countless multitudes who thronged
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the highways of travel were allowed to remain in ignorance of Jehovah。
In striking contrast to the course pursued by Solomon was the course followed by Christ when He was on this earth。 The Saviour； though possessing 〃all power；〃 never used this power for self…aggrandizement。 No dream of earthly conquest； of worldly greatness； marred the perfection of His service for mankind。 〃Foxes have holes； and the birds of the air have nests；〃 He said； 〃but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head。〃 Matthew 8：20。 Those who； in response to the call of the hour； have entered the service of the Master Worker； may well study His methods。 He took advantage of the opportunities to be found along the great thoroughfares of travel。
In the intervals of His journeys to and fro； Jesus dwelt at Capernaum； which came to be known as 〃His own city。〃 Matthew 9：1。 Situated on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea； it was well adapted to be the center of the Saviour's work。 People from many lands passed through the city or tarried for rest。 There Jesus met with those of all nations and all ranks； and thus His lessons were carried to other countries and into many households。 By this means interest was aroused in the prophecies pointing forward to the Messiah； attention was directed to the Saviour； and His mission was brought before the world。
In this our day the opportunities for coming into contact with men and women of all classes and many nationalities are much greater than in the days of Israel。 The thoroughfares of travel have multiplied a thousandfold。
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Like Christ； the messengers of the Most High today should take their position in these great thoroughfares； where they can meet the passing multitudes from all parts of the world。 Like Him； hiding self in God； they are to sow the gospel seed； presenting before others the precious truths of Holy Scripture that will take deep root in mind and heart； and spring up unto life eternal。
Solemn are the lessons of Israel's failure during the years when ruler and people turned from the high purpose they had been called to fulfill。 Wherein they were weak； even to the point of failure； the Israel of God today； the representatives of heaven that make up the true church of Christ； must be strong； for upon them devolves the task of finishing the work that has been committed to man； and of ushering in the day of final awards。 Yet the same influences that prevailed against Israel in the time when Solomon reigned are to be met with still。 The forces of the enemy of all righteousness are strongly entrenched； only by the power of God can the victory be gained。 The conflict before us calls for the exercise of a spirit of self…denial； for distrust of self and for dependence on God alone； for the wise use of every opportunity for the saving of souls。 The Lord's blessing will attend His church as they advance unitedly； revealing to a world lying in the darkness of error the beauty of holiness as manifested in a Christlike spirit of self…sacrifice； in an exaltation of the divine rather than the human； and in loving and untiring service for those so much in need of the blessings of the gospel。
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Chapter 5
Solomon's Repentance
Twice during Solomon's reign the Lord had appeared to him with words of approval and counselin the night vision at Gibeon； when the promise of wisdom； riches； and honor was accompanied by an admonition to remain humble and obedient； and after the dedication of the temple； when once more the Lord exhorted him to faithfulness。 Plain were the admonitions； wonderful the promises； given to Solomon； yet of him who in circumstances； in character； and in life seemed abundantly fitted to heed the charge and meet the expectation of Heaven； it is recorded： 〃He kept not that which the Lord commanded。〃 〃His heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel； which had appeared unto him twice； and had commanded him concerning this thing； that he should not go after other gods。〃 I Kings 11：9； 10。 And so complete was his apostasy； so hardened his heart in transgression； that his case seemed well…nigh hopeless。
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From the joy o
