Read: 2 Chronicles 2:13-18; Philippians 4:8-9
Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi. (2 Chron. 2:13)
My experience with the game of tennis is that the foundation is all about proper balance. Similarly, we can be captivated by the dazzling sights and sounds of the world, and yet on the other hand completely reject everything in the world. Jesus taught that we who believe in him are “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), but on the other hand “the cares of the world” can choke our faith (Matt. 13:22). We need biblical balance.
In this passage King Solomon turns to the world. There weren’t builders within Israel who had the skills to construct the temple. So Solomon turns to King Hiram of Tyre to provide builders. A skilled workman, Huram-abi (v. 13) is selected. So long as the temple doesn’t lead Israel into worshipping idols, Solomon can make use of the skills and knowledge of the surrounding culture. Similarly in the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs the new converts to dwell on the pure, the good, and the lovely (Phil. 4:8-9). The words Paul uses aren’t specifically Christian but words used by secular Greek moralists. Today we too can benefit from science, literature, and the arts, even when they come from secular sources.
King Solomon does not reject elements of the world that can be put to kingdom purposes. Walking with biblical balance in relation to the world requires the wisdom of Solomon and Jesus.
As you pray, reflect on good things in the world we can adopt, and other worldly things we ought to reject.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
