2020-9-18

2 Chronicles 8:1-18

Chapter 8 recorded the expansion of King Solomon’s influence to the region. However, it also subtly recorded the turning point of King Solomon’s spiritual deterioration.

1. (1-6) Solomon dominated over the region. He continued to build store cities for his army. He forgot God’s word in Deuteronomy 12:16, God spoke specifically to the future Kings of Israel that he shall not multiply horses for himself.
   Are we looking at the Dow Jones Index more than the words of God? Do we invest more time in God’s word than the Wall Street Journal?
   
2. (7-10) Solomon dominated the gentiles. He raised gentile as force labor and the Israelites as rulers over them.
   As believers, we should use our privileges to share God’s love with non- believers. As parents, we also labor ourselves raising children to know Christ, so that they would not depart from God when they are old.
   
3. (11) Solomon made an unwise decision when he married Pharaoh’s daughter and many other wives. It led to his spiritual downfall. His heathen wives brought their gods to the holy city. He also admitted that his wife from Egypt is not holy and cannot live in the holy city. He did it anyway to gain political capital. From 1 Kings 11:1-2, we see that King Solomon, however, loved other foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter, including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. They were from nations that the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.”
   It is sad to see a husband or wife cannot accompany their spouse in the holy place/ church to worship our Holy God. May God have mercy on us. Let us labor in our marriage and salvation of our spouse so that families can worship God together.
   
4. (12-16) Solomon followed the offerings, priest’s responsibilities and gatekeepers according to the Law.
   Do we serve God in an orderly manner? Are we too causal in our services to God?
   
5. (17-18) Solomon partnered with Hiram, Tyrian’s king to do sea trading. Jews did not have the nautical skill and had to partner with Hiram who furnished him with expert sailors to explore trading beyond the promised land.
   As we work with non-believers, aren’t we influencing them through our work ethic or are we being drifted away from godly principles by their disbelief?

There is nothing wrong with planning a bigger warehouse as long as we keep God in our planning.          —- Alan Yam