Royalty and Ruin: Steps That Led to Apostasy

     The evil influences that began here extended throughout the kingdom. High wages enabled many to indulge in luxury and extravagance. The rich oppressed the poor; the spirit of self-sacrifice nearly vanished. The far-reaching effects of these influences became one of the principal causes of Solomon’s terrible apostasy.

    A deeply significant lesson lies in the sharp contrast between the spirit and motives of the people building the wilderness tabernacle and of those constructing Solomon’s temple. Selfishness rules the world today. Everywhere people are seeking the highest position and the highest wage. We seldom see the joyous self-denial of the tabernacle workers. But this is the only spirit that should drive Jesus’ followers. When He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), He offered those men no stated sum as a reward for their services. They were to share His self-denial and sacrifice.

    We are not to make wages the goal in our work. Unselfish devotion and a spirit of sacrifice always will be the first requirement of acceptable service. Our Lord intends to have not one thread of selfishness woven into His work. We are to bring the same tact and skill, precision and wisdom to our efforts that God required of those who built the earthly tabernacle; yet we are to remember that the greatest talents or most splendid services are acceptable to God only when we lay self on the altar as a living sacrifice.

    Another deviation from principle that led to Solomon’s downfall was that he took to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. From the day that Solomon was entrusted with building the temple to its completion, his stated purpose was “to build a temple for the name of the Lord God  of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 6:7. He expressed this purpose before the assembled people of Israel at the time the temple was dedicated. One of the most touching portions of Solomon’s prayer was his plea to God for the strangers that would come from countries afar to learn more of Him. In behalf of these strangers Solomon had prayed, “Hear ... and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know ... that this temple, which I have built, is called by Your name.” 1 Kings 8:43.

    One greater than Solomon was the designer of the temple. Those who did not know this fact naturally admired and praised Solomon as the architect and builder, but the king disclaimed any honor for its design or construction.