T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S (2) THE FUTILE E F F O R T TO FRUSTRATE GOD’S PLAN, 4:1- 6. There has been no change in human nature from the time that Eve and Adam fell for Satanic sophistry, to this day. These verses are very suggestive for our day. “ Let us build with you.” Do you recognize the voice? What a plausible proposal! “ Let us join hands—we seek your God!” These Samaritans were tricky. Their proposi tion seemed peculiarly peaceful, but in fact it was profanely perilous. They were not Israelites; they were Samari tans; they did not worship Jehovah as God. They saw the signs of prosperi ty in Jerusalem and desired to get in on the ground floor. Separation from the Samaritans was the only saie posi tion for the Jews, and they promptly rejected the proposition. What are we doing today? The enemy of our Lord is using preachers and people to unite in all kinds of schemes for the furtherance of God’s kingdom, and loyal lovers of the Bible are charmed by the benign condescen sion of these cultured individuals. “ Let us organize and work together to make the world better; let us build on a com mon foundation of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man!” But “What concord hath Christ with Belial? light with darkness? How can two walk together except they be agreed?” What kind of a platform for a foundation is it for those who believe in the inspiration of God’s Word and the Atoning Blood of Christ, to build on in company with the Unitarians who deny both the Word and the Sacrificial Work of Christ? Why not say to the soothsayers who want to unite with true believers, what Nehemiah said (Neh. 2:20) «The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore, we his servants will arise and build; hut ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”
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or as our Lord said to the Samaritan woman (John 4:22) “Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship $ for salvation Is of the Jews.” * * * God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” or as Philip said to the sorcerer (Acts 8 : 2 1 ) “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” There is a definite statement-of Scrip ture given by the Holy Spirit which should settle once for all the unholy alliances of believers and “ make-be lievers” (2 Cor. 6:17, 18) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, &aith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will're ceive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (3) THE FINISHING AND DEDICA TION, 6:14-22 “ And they build- ed and finished it.” v. 14. By faithful adherence to God’s Word, and in obedience to God’s command for separation from the Samaritans, the foundations for the temple were laid, the temple itself erected, and the dedi cation conducted amidst great rejoicing. Approach to the temple as the house of God was by the blood offering. Bul locks, rams and lambs by the hundred were slain, (v. 17). All of the cere monies were regulated by the law of Moses (v. 18). There were burnt of ferings and peace offerings. They had offered the sacrifices of thanksgiving. Their hearts testified to their gratitude. “ The Lord hath done great things for us * * * we are glad.” Shall not we who have been made the temples of the Holy Spirit, by His indwelling (1 Cor. 6:19, 20) through faith in the blood offering of Christ, dedicate our lives to His service? And if there could be great rejoicing over an earthly temple, shall not we con stantly rejoice? Israel had one day of dedication— a day of joy (Neh. 8:10-12) “Then said he unto them, Go your way, eat the tat and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for Whom nothing is
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