King Solomon of Israel built a jaw-droppingly magnificent temple for God! Why was it so opulent and lavish? Because God was trying to achieve something specific, and Solomon understood exactly what it was.
The fame of Solomon’s temple spread far and wide. The queen of Sheba heard reports of its splendor and came to witness it for herself. Her reaction to what she saw demonstrates how effectively God was able to attain His goal through that structure.
“It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom,” this remarkable Gentile queen told Solomon. “Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard” (see 1 Kings 10:1-7). The truth is that Solomon’s wisdom never would have attained such global renown if not for the material opulence that his kingdom enjoyed. Nevertheless, the queen was able to recognize that there was something special spiritually about what she had witnessed in the nation of Israel.
“Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom,” she continued (verse 8). What amazed the queen even more than the wealth was how happy and cheerfully submissive Solomon’s subjects were. It was Solomon—his wisdom, his righteous leadership—that impressed her most of all. His personal example actually made her realize God was behind him.
She concluded: “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice” (verse 9).
This Gentile queen glorified God! Solomon’s example pointed her to the true God!
That was God’s goal and intent for the blessings He lavished on Solomon and upon Israel. He wanted them to represent Him before the nations—to bring glory and honor to Himself!
It was, in a sense, foreshadowing Malachi’s prophecy in which God says, “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles [and] among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 1:11).
At that point in his life, Solomon understood this. He wanted to be a light to the world not for his own glory—but for God’s glory. In dedicating the temple, Solomon prayed specifically about people from faraway lands who would hear of God’s greatness as exemplified in Israel and want to come and pray toward the temple. He asked God to hear and answer those prayers, “that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel …” (1 Kings 8:43). Solomon wanted the splendor of God’s house, and the righteous example of Israel, to attract everyone on Earth to seek God!
Herbert W. Armstrong had this history in mind when he built God’s house—the Ambassador Auditorium on the Ambassador College campus in Pasadena.
What a magnificent goal. Bound up within it lies the inspirational vision of the day of Pentecost.
Towering Examples
The Bible is filled with accounts of godly men and women who, through their righteousness, personally inspired respect and awe within worldly people.
When Joseph explained to Pharaoh that Egypt would experience seven years of famine and then laid out a plan for how to avoid the plague, Pharaoh said, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Genesis 41:38). He exalted Joseph to the number two position in the nation!
When Elijah prayed, and God devoured his sacrifice whole, all the people, who were so steeped in paganism, said, “The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God” (1 Kings 18:39).
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace unsinged, Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” and decreed that anyone who spoke against their God—the true God—should be killed (Daniel 3:28-29).
When God miraculously delivered Daniel from the lion’s den, King Darius decreed that in every part of his kingdom, “people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel” (Daniel 6:26; New International Version).
These men represented God magnificently. They were powerful examples—so much so that even hardened, carnal, worldly people were moved to worship the true God.
Is it possible our personal example could have such an effect? Believe it or not, that should be our goal!
Representing God
As the day of Pentecost teaches us, God’s firstfruits have a mighty job. It is true that God chooses the foolish, weak, base and despised of the world—but to fulfill our calling, we cannot remain that way. After all, as Herbert W. Armstrong often said, we are not here to save ourselves: We are here to be used by God in order to inspire growth in others, to save others.
To do this, we must live lives worthy of emulation. Not to bring glory to ourselves—but, ultimately, to bring glory to God.
What a noble calling!
“[Y]e are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him [God] who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
How can we accomplish this? Read through this epistle of 1 Peter for the specifics. The chief apostle tells us to obey the law. Submit to authorities. Be subject to your boss. Honor all men. Honor the king. Be a model citizen, a model employee. Provide an example of godliness in an ungodly world.
To the woman living with an unconverted mate, Peter says: Set the right example in your home, because you just might win the mind of your unconverted husband! (1 Peter 3:1-2). Your husband will not convert as a result of your preaching or logical arguments. But he will marvel to watch his wife transforming from perhaps a somewhat foolish, weak, base and despised woman—into a wise, strong, righteous lady of nobility! And that could open his eyes to see the great God behind the transformation.
Peter continues with more specifics: Be ready to have a positive answer for anyone who asks about the hope within you. Don’t get into trouble for wrongdoing: If someone is going to bring accusations against you, make sure they are false accusations! God wants His people to be blameless (1 Peter 4:14-16).
Why does God consider our personal example so important? “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
It takes real vision to see this—but as we represent God properly, we actually make our job in God’s Kingdom easier, when we will lead all mankind to repentance before God! They’re going to remember our examples, and glorify God because of them.
What a stirring vision to contemplate as we go about our daily interactions with the world.
Bringing Shame on God
Read Deuteronomy 4:5-8. These verses describe an inspiring goal God had for the ancient Israelites: He wanted them to be known far and wide for their wisdom and understanding, for the righteousness of their laws, and for their intimacy with the great God of blessings and miracles.
God still has that goal for the nations of Israel today. But our nations, rather than setting an example of righteousness, are a model of depravity. The real disgrace is, we bring shame on more than just ourselves: In the eyes of the rest of the world, we bring shame on the God of Israel!
Just consider the fact that among Israel’s greatest critics are Muslim leaders who have a clearer-eyed view of the “Christian” world’s Sodom-and-Gomorrah condition than we have of ourselves!
How angry is God about that?
Even many prominent spiritual leaders in Israel have been exposed for terrible sins. While they talk about God, they are caught in sexual perversion, racketeering or other major evils. The Roman Catholic Church is fighting scandals on a grand scale because of priests who have committed unspeakable acts of depravity with church members.
Though these spiritual leaders do not represent the true God, the evil they commit speaks louder than their hypocritical words—bringing great reproach on God (see Romans 2:17-24). Their wickedness conveys an example contrary to that of Solomon’s temple and his positive example. Many people in this world are sick of hearing from preachers—because there have been so many evil ones!
Look at the condemnation God heaps upon Laodicean ministers, who truly are supposed to represent Him! (e.g. Ezekiel 34). As Christ said about the Pharisees, they are keeping people out of the Kingdom of God!
When David sinned with Bathsheba, and Nathan finally came to correct him, God said, You did your sin in secret, but I’m going to correct you before the whole nation! Why was God so upset? “[B]ecause by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme …” (2 Samuel 12:14). David hadn’t just stained his own reputation—he had stainedGod’sreputation!
Realize: This instruction doesn’t just apply to ministers and kings. In Titus 2:3-5, Paul admonishes the women of the Church “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands”—why?—“that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Yes, God truly is concerned about His Word being blasphemed because of a poor example! He wants all of His people to be above reproach (see also verses 6-8). As much as possible, He wants to demonstrate that His way works—and He wants this world to be able to see it working!
God deeply desires that His firstfruits be the example to the world. We must not fail in that job!
Think Big
How well do you represent God to this world?
God wants to hold you up as a shining example of His workmanship. He wants to exalt your marriage as an example of how a marriage should function. He wants to put your character on display as an example of what He can accomplish. Are you allowing Him to do that?
If we represent God well, then in the end, He will accomplish more through us—you and me; the foolish, weak, base and despised of the world—than He could through the mightiest of men!
Look at what God achieved through Mr. Armstrong! Though he adhered to the same “unorthodox” doctrines we do—the same beliefs so many people in this world hate—Mr. Armstrong grew in stature with God and man. He was admired and respected all over the world, and was granted audiences with the great and powerful of the world. He represented God magnificently.
Think big. The Pentecost vision shows that this little Work won’t be little for much longer. God is going to put us in the spotlight before the whole world! So we need to do all we can to make sure we live lives that really please God, and that, most importantly, point people to God.
As Christ said in Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”