2 Chronicles 2:2, 3, 7-10 And Solomon told out three score and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain… Concerning the work in which we are engaged as men of action and production, we have here four suggestions. I. THE AMPLITUDE OF MATERIAL WITH WHICH GOD HAS SUPPLIED US. We have mention made (ver. 7) of different metals - gold, silver, brass, iron; and this enumeration is far from being exhaustive. We have reference (ver. 8) to different trees; and these are only a reminder of all the kinds of timber to be had in the forests of the earth. We have a statement of articles of food (ver. 10), representing various industries; and these again are only suggestive of a large number at our command. The Divine Author of our nature and Builder of our home has given us many tastes and cravings; he has also supplied us with the most ample material on which our skill and our labour can be expended, so that all our wants and even our wishes may be supplied. II. THE NECESSITY, DIVINELY ORDERED, FOR CORDIAL CO-OPERATION. Solomon had to negotiate with Hiram; the skilled labour of Israel had to be supplemented with the more skilled labour of Tyre (vers. 3, 8). The servants of one sovereign had to "be with," to co-operate with, those of another, if the house was to be built. And not only had land to work with land, but citizen with citizen, according to individual culture; some had to "bear burdens," others to "hew trees," others to overlook both of these workmen (ver. 2). As one country produces valuable commodities which another lacks; and as one man has a natural faculty of which another is devoid; as the interchange of products and of industries is spreading comfort and acquisition; - we are learning that God has so made this earth and so constituted us, his children, that we may work together, and make one another inheritors of the results of our thought and toil. Commerce is not more human in its outworking than it is Divine in its origin. III. THE GRADATIONS IN LABOUR. To overlook implies more trained intelligence than manual labour itself involves (ver. 2). And men "cunning to work" and men that bad skill to hew (ver. 8) were superior workmen to those that did the labour of carrying. Work has its gradations; it ascends in rank as it involves natural intelligence and sagacity, long and careful training, faithfulness and trustworthiness. IV. THE ADVANTAGE OF INTEGRITY TO THOSE WHO COME AFTER US. (Ver. 30 Solomon invited Hiram to treat with him "as thou didst deal with David my father." And Hiram responded; for we read (1 Kings 5:1), "Hiram was ever a lover of David." He found that he could trust the King of Israel - that with him piety meant truthfulness and equity. Thus David's integrity made the path of Solomon smooth and easy; it perhaps contributed as much to the work as the various materials he had so carefully stored up for his son. It is impossible to reckon how much thoroughness and uprightness in our labour have to do with our own real success, and how much they do for those who come after us. In this way one generation truly serves another. V. THE RIGHTEOUS CLAIM OF LABOUR TO A FULL RECOMPENSE. (Ver. 10.) "The workman is worthy of his hire" (see James 5:4). VI. OUR DUTY TO DO OUR BEST. "The house shall, be wonderfully great" (ver. 9). Solomon meant to make it worthy, not only of himself and his kingdom, but even, as far as that might be, of the Lord for whom it was to be erected. It should be constructed of the best materials and with the greatest skill he could command. 1. What we do in the direct service of God has a distinct claim on our highest faculties, on our largest resources. What we do for Christ should be done at the full height of our capacity and opportunity. In his worship and service we should be at our very best. 2. All work, as rendered unto God, should be done faithfully and heartily. Into all the labour of our hands we should put our mind and our strength, because everything is done in the presence of the Master, and should be done with a view to his approval. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. |
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