Page 54 - Biblical Backgrounds

Connect…

Have you ever heard the saying, “You reap what you sow?” It comes from the idea that farmers plant
seeds, and after the growing season is complete, the seeds grow into the very plants that the farmer
placed in the tilled soil. The Bible states the same idea in Galatians 6: 7-10:

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7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who
sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the
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Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do
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not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who
are of the household of faith.

When Joshua brought the nation into the Promised Land, he took them to a place called Shechem.
There, he divided the tribes of Israel into two groups, and six stood on Mt. Gerizim and six on Mt Ebal.
Mt. Gerizim is covered with fruitful terraces, blessed with life, celebration, and joy. On the other side,
Mt. Ebal is arid, dark brown, and barren. It looks dead. God was trying to help Israel understand that if
they would obey Him, he would bring to them the blessings of Mt. Gerizim. But if they turned from Him,
He would curse them and eventually destroy them.

Today, we sadly look back at the history of Israel when they divided from Judah and turned away from
God. We need to learn that God has not changed. He will bless those who honor Him, and curse those
who reject Him.

The Lesson ...

Israel after Solomon’s death

Solomon was the greatest king of Israel, far surpassing all others in wisdom and in the extent of his
kingdom. He subjugated all the area to the north from Damascus to the Euphrates River. Israel’s
landmass was about three times its modern-day size.
Politically, Solomon has peace on all his borders, and all neighboring kingdoms pay him tribute each year
to retain their autonomy (I Kings 4:24). In modern times, Solomon’s peak wealth net worth would be
around $2 trillion dollars. He received over 25 tons of gold for each of the 39 years of his reign, worth
billions of dollars (2 Chronicles 9:13-29).

Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber (I Kings 10:22-23) and imported great quantities of ivory,
gold, and silver. He even imported apes.

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