Another Gross Perversion of God’s Plan

Another perversion of the divine plan accompanied the drift toward self-glorification. God had designed that the glory of His law was to shine forth from His people. To carry out this plan, He had placed the chosen nation in a strategic position among the nations of earth. In the days of Solomon the kingdom extended from Hamath on the north to Egypt on the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea to the river Euphrates. Many natural highways of the world’s commerce ran through this territory, and caravans from distant lands were constantly traveling on them. Because of this, Solomon and his people had opportunity to reveal to all nations the character of the King of kings and to teach them to reverence and obey Him. Through the sacrificial offerings, Christ was to be uplifted so that all might learn about the plan of salvation.RR 26.4

Solomon should have used his God-given wisdom and influence in directing a great movement to enlighten those who were ignorant of God and His truth. Multitudes would have been won, Israel would have been shielded from the evils that the heathen practiced, and the Lord would have been honored. But Solomon lost sight of this high purpose. He failed to share the light with those who were continually passing through his territory.RR 26.5

A spirit of commercialism replaced the missionary spirit that God had implanted in the hearts of all true Israelites. People used the opportunities presented by contact with many nations to enrich themselves. Solomon set out to strengthen his position politically by building fortified cities at the gateways of trade. He developed the commercial advantages of an outlet at the head of the Red Sea by constructing “a fleet of ships ... on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.” “The servants of Solomon” manned these vessels on voyages “to Ophir, and acquired ... gold from there” and “great quantities of almug wood and precious stones.” 1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:11.RR 26.6

This greatly increased the kingdom’s wealth, but at what a cost! Through the greed of those whom God had entrusted with His Word, the countless multitudes who crowded the highways of travel were allowed to remain ignorant of Jehovah.RR 27.1