WORK, WORSHIP, WEALTH. 2nd Chronicles 8 In the normal course of life, each of us has a role to play, tasks to complete, and responsibilities to God and His people. Not everyone's life and calling are the same, so it is wrong to criticize others for doing things differently from what we expect. Leadership emphasizes qualities different from those practiced by most people. However, in every person's life, there is a need to utilize our minds in ways that fit our individual needs. Wisdom in managing personal, marriage, and family life helps maintain a normality that benefits everyone involved.
Meaningful work, whether we enjoy our job or not, is vital to human life. "If any would not work, neither should he eat." There is also a need for some wealth to meet a family's basic needs. A wise person saves some of what he has "for a rainy day." Worship of God is an innate need of human beings because we are aware of everything around us that is far beyond our capacity to create or control.
Solomon transformed Israel into a well-ordered nation that succeeded in military affairs [v.1-6], organizing the labor force [v.7-10], religious and public worship [11-16], and commerce [v.17-18]. Apparently, the cities he had used as collateral for Hiram were not satisfactory to him (Huram) and were returned to Solomon. However, no lasting negative issues hindered their ongoing relationship. By establishing fortified cities along major trade routes, Solomon could store and exchange goods in those locations, benefiting all parties involved in trade. These cities, situated on caravan routes, offered protection and generated customs revenue for the nation. Two cities sharing the same name, distinguished by the terms “upper” and “lower,” were on a key route that went from Judah through a mountain pass to the plains and toward the northern tribes and Joppa, a seaport. The only military campaign during Solomon’s reign involved expanding territory to the north.
There are simple principles of living we should follow to live successfully before God and others. When we "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," success in other areas naturally follows. When we "honor the Lord with [our] substance, and with the first-fruits of our increase," we gain what truly matters. Work is honorable if we maintain an honest association with those whom we labor for or with. Solomon assigned men of the children of Israel to key roles in the military and government, while relegating descendants of conquered tribes to labor. Canaanites were like indentured servants and slaves who provided the labor needed to produce material goods for the nation. Likely, these laborers received food, shelter, and protection for their families as compensation for their work. Those Israelites whom the king considered trustworthy were placed in strategic areas of national importance in the military to defend the country. Just because people seem to be believers doesn't mean they should be given spiritual responsibilities. No matter how skilled, educated, or motivated someone is, for our efforts and work in life to truly matter, we have to recognize that it is God who enables us to succeed. The writer of the Chronicles was concerned with maintaining the connection between Moses' instruction in the ancient past and the reigns of David and Solomon in a way that was relevant and connected to the experiences of those who had returned from captivity to Israel. This helped link the work they were doing to Israel's glorious history. The yearly feasts, daily and monthly sacrifices, and arrangements for temple worship were especially important to Solomon. Solomon did not let his wisdom, work, and wealth distract him from his responsibility to worship the Lord during the first twenty years of his reign. He was aware of the importance of the House of the Lord and understood how his spiritual life influenced every other part of his life, as well as that of the nation. He was careful to uphold the religious sacrifices and offerings that served the spiritual interests of the Israelites. Solomon's work involved building and maintaining the nation in a well-ordered way, and his reign was mostly peaceful among nations. In the kingdom of God, the way to get is to give. The way up is down. The way to win is to lose. The way to live is to die. When God comes first, His blessings flow from His hand of grace. "He that began a good work in you will perform it..." God makes things beneficial for His people when they worship and serve Him. Any part of life not surrendered to the Lord begins a downward spiral that leads to spiritual ruin. This is especially true when it comes to building personal relationships. Compromising on what we know is right for any reason can sometimes lead to spiritual compromise, which is often followed by a deliberate turning away from what we know is right, and that is apostasy. Even though Solomon would not mix paganism with what was holy, he unintentionally allowed pagan worship to gain a foothold in his kingdom. It started with marrying Pharaoh's daughter, who was not a believer; she was not part of God's people. He then built her a separate palace, away from where God's people and the king himself would live. He felt some guilt about marrying her and compromised what he knew was right in God's eyes for what seemed right in his own. To maintain peace between a believer and an unbeliever in a relationship, the person of God often makes a compromise for the sake of peaceful coexistence. This tendency often results in a divided household, with children typically following the path that appeals most to their sinful nature. There is a very clear difference between what is holy and what is not. Solomon first experienced this in his personal life. He took many wives, and in his business and political endeavors, he accumulated horses for his military and likely for trade. The law of Moses forbade both actions, but he did them anyway. Whether it was out of sincerity or to ease his growing guilt, Solomon kept the offerings commanded by Moses without any deviation. He understood the holiness of the ark and the temple and did not permit any other religious practices or people to deviate from the established norms. He brought sacrifices to be offered, and incense was burned, demonstrating his understanding of the value of temple worship. Aside from his attraction to women and horses, Solomon focused on his work and was successful at it. He maintained his worship, and outwardly, it looked like he was doing it correctly. His wealth continued to grow, and his joint ventures in business were very successful. Despite his riches, he knew he needed God. But there is a principle that impacts all areas of our lives. "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." Solomon did not let his wisdom, work, and wealth interfere with his worship during the first twenty-some years of his reign. By taking one step away from God's guidance, the way was opened for a gradual decline. We need to learn to protect every part of our lives. Any one area can initiate a downward slope, but the most serious and damaging is forming relationships. Never give sin a place to begin. We must be aware of God's will and convinced of it so firmly that we resist any temptation to give sin an opening. By trusting God's Word without trying to manipulate it for our benefit, we can avoid a long, miserable life of compromise and its consequences. A Misfit. All seems well; there is peace in the land. The economy is held up by the king’s strong hand. The people are working, and there appears to be enough for all. The spiritual leaders are present in the house of the Lord, standing tall. But there is one in the city who doesn’t quite belong. The daughter of Pharaoh and her gods are not part of this. From her place, she looks down on God’s people with disdain. Her form of worship may be just herself, adorned for display.
So, the king builds her a palace separate from all the others. She would not consider God’s people her brothers and sisters. Though her husband, the king, belongs to the Lord, her worship differs—she worships the gods of this world. Unequal yokes involve more than two people; they are like two different species that do not complement each other. One seeks the things of the Lord and regularly attends to them, while the other is spiritually dead and secretly desires the gods of men. When it comes to making decisions, one may seek God’s will but often has to compromise or adapt to maintain peace. Her motivation is different; she wants to do her own thing and will not be satisfied until she can fully control him.
When it comes to having children, what will parents do? One desires worldly success and pleasures for their children; the other focuses on their spiritual well-being for life and death, and tries to teach the children what the Bible says. Pharaoh’s daughter may have been beautiful and politically clever, but the seeds of idolatry will ultimately produce some fruit. Entering into an unequal yoke, believing you can keep its consequences at bay, is only wishful thinking until you face those consequences.