WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.600 So tonight we're continuing our series in Solomon. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:07.640 We're third of the way through. 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:12.820 We're at number three of four, looking at Solomon's slide. 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:16.760 We looked at Solomon's wisdom in week one. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:19.359 We then looked at Solomon's worship. 00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:24.100 And tonight we're going to look at Solomon's wealth. 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:32.200 We're going to be basically mostly in 1 Kings chapter 10. 00:00:32.980 --> 00:00:35.439 But we might dot around a little bit as well. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:42.600 And let me give you the big story for this evening that gold is good until gold is God. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:48.359 Gold is good until gold is God. 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:53.500 But I wonder, what do you know about gold? 00:00:54.100 --> 00:00:57.120 I've had a fascinating couple of weeks reading up about gold. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:00:58.880 So I thought we'd have a little quiz. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:02.320 And I've got some prizes which are actually gold bars. 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:05.740 The edible version more than the expensive version. 00:01:06.960 --> 00:01:08.420 So we'll do it like in school. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:10.040 Put your hand up. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:13.859 First one to put their hand up and get the question right can get a prize. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:16.299 We'll try and limit it to one per person. 00:01:16.460 --> 00:01:21.879 Because we don't want to be responsible for gluttony on a night looking at Solomon's wealth. 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:23.140 Question one. 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:26.459 What is the chemical symbol for gold? 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:28.399 Fiona. 00:01:31.119 --> 00:01:32.179 Alistair, I need your help. 00:01:32.259 --> 00:01:37.140 You need to distribute the prizes or else somebody might get a gold bar in the eye. 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:38.979 I'll give you some. 00:01:39.699 --> 00:01:39.939 Okay. 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:43.199 A-U. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:43.919 That's correct. 00:01:44.479 --> 00:01:45.519 Question two. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:48.739 What is the atomic number for gold? 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:52.060 We'll have a few guesses the closest one can win. 00:01:55.539 --> 00:01:55.939 Anybody? 00:01:58.739 --> 00:01:59.140 63. 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:00.119 Higher, lower? 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:00.939 Dave? 00:02:02.379 --> 00:02:02.899 72. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:03.959 One more? 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:06.299 14. 00:02:06.679 --> 00:02:07.640 Dave Wright wins. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:09.460 The number is 79. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:12.020 Is that? 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:12.300 Yeah. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:13.580 Okay. 00:02:14.419 --> 00:02:17.759 What is the approximate value of one gram of gold? 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:21.360 Roughly. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:23.080 140 dollars. 00:02:23.720 --> 00:02:24.760 140 dollars. 00:02:26.520 --> 00:02:27.240 Any other guesses? 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:33.640 Anybody? 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:37.600 This is not really the most interactive quiz I'd ever imagined. 00:02:37.720 --> 00:02:38.880 As everyone just sits there going. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:39.439 Okay. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:43.560 Okay. 00:02:43.659 --> 00:02:44.939 It's 31 pounds 40. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:46.599 So I think Fiona's probably the closest. 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:48.240 But she'll have to give it to Alistair. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:50.139 Because it's only one per person. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:51.879 Should I bring... 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:53.379 Okay. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:55.000 Next question. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:59.759 What is the name of the speculative science that tries to turn base metal into gold? 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:00.879 David Reimer. 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:02.519 Alchemy. 00:03:02.520 --> 00:03:05.159 Great Al. 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:07.920 Good. 00:03:08.540 --> 00:03:09.760 We're warming up. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:12.860 Who was the king for whom everything he touched turned to gold? 00:03:13.100 --> 00:03:13.820 Neil McAllister? 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:18.300 King Midas? 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:20.960 Super? 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:23.740 Better at quizzes than catching. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:28.680 Which new romantics band had a 1983 chart-topping hit called Gold? 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:31.680 Derek? 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:33.060 Spando Ballet. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:34.219 Spando Ballet. 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:38.100 Great Al. 00:03:39.480 --> 00:03:39.900 Okay. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:45.219 What do you call someone who's obsessed with gold? 00:03:58.219 --> 00:03:59.379 A Christophilist. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:02.060 It's good you turned up tonight. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:07.380 What is the name of the largest gold depository in the world? 00:04:10.380 --> 00:04:11.540 Fort Knox. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:14.640 Super? 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:18.439 Two more questions. 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:23.519 In which chapter is gold first mentioned in the Bible? 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:26.759 Chapter? 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:26.900 Chapter. 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:31.239 Chapter 2. 00:04:31.239 --> 00:04:32.399 John Thompson. 00:04:32.859 --> 00:04:33.719 Chapter 2. 00:04:33.919 --> 00:04:35.179 Verse 11. 00:04:36.179 --> 00:04:37.339 Last question. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:42.539 In which chapter is gold last mentioned in the Bible? 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:46.179 Neil? 00:04:46.539 --> 00:04:47.479 Revelation 21. 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:49.000 Revelation 21. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:51.000 You'll have to nominate someone because you can't eat it. 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:51.959 Luca. 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:52.459 There you go. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:54.019 Super. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:56.139 Well, what do we... 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:56.399 What? 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:59.040 21 verse 27. 00:04:59.379 --> 00:04:59.920 That's right. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:02.220 It's actually 21 verse 21. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:03.740 I don't know where that came from. 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:11.399 Did you know, in fact, gold is mentioned in chapter 2 verse 11 and chapter 21 verse 21. 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:16.599 It's actually mentioned around 400 times in the Bible. 00:05:16.599 --> 00:05:18.439 Gold is mentioned. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:24.879 And about one-tenth of them are in 1 Kings 1 to 1 Kings 11. 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:31.719 About a tenth of all references to gold in the Bible surround Solomon and his reign. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:35.920 That is a remarkable number of references. 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:45.320 And I think we'll see that Solomon could quite feasibly be seen as the wealthiest man to have ever lived. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:50.180 The sums of money detailed in these chapters are astronomical. 00:05:51.020 --> 00:05:56.760 And the wealth that he displays to the world, almost unimaginable. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:01.980 So Solomon is not only potentially the wisest man who has ever lived. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:06.439 He's also probably the wealthiest. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:09.860 And this is great for his subjects. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:18.240 There's little verses throughout the story of Solomon's life that say things like this. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:23.420 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:27.540 They ate, they drank, and they were happy. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:32.420 Such was Solomon's reign that his people were happy. 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:34.600 A little bit later on. 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:40.259 During Solomon's lifetime, Judah and Israel from Dan to Beersheba lived in safety. 00:06:41.200 --> 00:06:45.700 Everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree. 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:49.360 Which is a Hebrew idiom to say that everything was right with the world. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:54.360 Such was Solomon's giftedness and wisdom. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:59.920 As we looked at with David in week one in chapter 10. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:01.600 The queen of Sheba said to the king. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:07.000 The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:11.660 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:18.560 Indeed, not even half was told me in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:22.140 How happy your people must be. 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:27.660 How happy your officials who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom. 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:35.920 Solomon, wise, wealthy, and the blessing seems to be trickling out into the people. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:40.280 This wise king seemed to bring blessing to his people. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:41.799 They were happy. 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:45.459 They all lived under their own fig tree. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:49.019 However, as we've seen throughout this series. 00:07:50.239 --> 00:07:53.739 That despite many great things displayed by Solomon. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.639 There are some unnerving breadcrumbs that go throughout the story. 00:07:58.159 --> 00:08:00.399 Far from good guy gone bad. 00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:04.399 It's more complex guy turned catastrophic. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:09.899 And I think as we get to wealth this week and wives next week. 00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:12.839 We see that we're really on the downward slump. 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:19.399 There are unnerving signs of unfaithfulness to the Lord. 00:08:19.919 --> 00:08:21.560 Littered throughout these passages. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:26.060 There is a real warning I think for us in tonight's subject. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:30.859 That gold is good until gold is God. 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:38.960 And I think you can make the claim that gold becomes a real idol in Solomon's life. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:45.800 So let me give you some insight to start with about the scale and scope of Solomon's wealth. 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:49.259 As we look at his shiny kingdom. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:53.259 Just turn back with me to 1 Kings chapter 4. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:57.179 And verses 22 and 23. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:06.080 1 Kings chapter 4 verses 22 to 23. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:08.080 And we'll look at Solomon's food. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:13.879 Solomon's daily provisions were 30 cores of the finest flour. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:16.259 And 60 cores of meal. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:18.799 10 head of stool fed cattle. 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:21.740 20 of pasture fed cattle. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.080 And 100 sheep and goats. 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:28.899 As well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:32.019 Daily provisions. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:35.299 That amount of food. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:38.779 Even reading that amount of food makes me feel really full. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:42.340 And so I did some rudimentary maths this week. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:45.840 And I took the weight of this food and tried to tot it up. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:48.500 Where it doesn't say exactly how many gazelles he ate. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:49.820 I just took five. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.500 Because any good king would have at least five gazelles. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.759 As his daily portion. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:10:00.220 If you tot up the amount of food listed in 1 Kings chapter 4. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:05.620 You get 61,181 kilograms of food per day. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:10.960 Which just to put it into perspective is the weight of 31 Range Rovers. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:12.539 Per day. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.440 That is a lot. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:19.279 If you bought it at Tesco. 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:23.700 The plastic bag cost simply to get it home. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:27.539 Would cost you 2,726 pounds 25. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:32.899 That is a ridiculous amount of food. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:35.500 And even though he will have lots of courtiers. 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.799 And lots of servants. 00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:39.559 And loads of people always round. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:44.659 That does seem like quite an excessive amount of grub. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:47.500 Under Solomon. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:50.740 This really is a golden era. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:56.219 But you could make the case that it's also perhaps a gluttonous era. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:58.920 As there is so much going on. 00:10:59.800 --> 00:11:01.720 And of course we know it in our own lives. 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:03.460 That the royal family need paid for. 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:05.379 And we get it. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:08.560 The first chapter after Solomon has died. 00:11:08.660 --> 00:11:09.879 We get Rehoboam. 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:14.840 And Solomon's advisors say to Rehoboam. 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:17.620 Under Solomon people were taxed heavily. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.360 They had a heavy yoke upon them. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:23.759 It was quite burdensome to keep up Solomon's way of life. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.420 It should just go a bit easy. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:29.639 But of course Rehoboam's younger consorts. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.300 Say to him. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:31.840 Oh no. 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:33.899 You need to go even harder. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:36.680 You need to leverage even more money. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:40.580 And so consumption was a real cost. 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:44.080 To the subjects of the kingdom. 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.300 Well if that's his food. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:47.560 Let's have a look at his goal. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.600 Please turn to 1 Kings chapter 10. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:52.200 And we'll read 14 to 17. 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:53.860 And then 21 to 25. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:57.200 The weight of gold. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.340 The weight of the gold. 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.980 That Solomon received yearly. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:02.460 Was 666 talents. 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:04.000 Not including. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:06.899 The revenues from merchants and traders. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.200 And from all the Arabian kings. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:09.919 And the governors. 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.800 Of the territories. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:15.419 King Solomon made 200 large shields. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.360 Of hammered gold. 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:18.320 600 shekels of gold. 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.759 Went into each shield. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.580 He also made 300 small shields. 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.720 Of hammered gold. 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:25.480 With three miners of gold. 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:26.179 In each shield. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:28.319 The king put them in the palace. 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:29.159 Of the fortress. 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.620 Of Lebanon. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.879 And now drop down to verse 21. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.340 All King Solomon's goblets. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:35.939 Were gold. 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.700 And all the household articles. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:38.480 In the palace. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.679 Of the fortress of Lebanon. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.580 Were pure gold. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.659 Nothing was made of silver. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:44.120 Because silver was considered. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.279 Of little value. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.080 In Solomon's days. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.620 The king had a fleet. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.620 Of trading ships. 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.220 At sea. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:52.240 Along with the ships of Hiram. 00:12:52.660 --> 00:12:53.980 Once every three years. 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.560 It returned. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.580 Carrying gold. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.379 Silver. 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:57.540 And ivory. 00:12:57.780 --> 00:12:58.500 And apes. 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.400 And baboons. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:01.879 King Solomon. 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:03.220 Was great in riches. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:03.879 And wisdom. 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:05.520 Was greater in riches. 00:13:05.520 --> 00:13:06.080 And wisdom. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.240 Than all the other kings. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.960 Of the earth. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.300 The whole world. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.220 Soared audience. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:10.879 With Solomon. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.900 To hear the wisdom. 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:13.280 God had put in his heart. 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:15.080 Year after year. 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:17.220 Everyone who came. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.180 Bought a gift. 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.920 Articles of silver. 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:20.580 And gold. 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:21.800 Robes. 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:22.820 Weapons. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.620 And spices. 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.600 And horses. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.139 And mules. 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:29.440 There is a lot of gold. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.220 Going on. 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.280 In Solomon's. 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.360 Palace. 00:13:33.520 --> 00:13:34.280 Under Solomon. 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:35.080 This really was. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:36.180 A golden era. 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:37.860 For Israel. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.640 United. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.020 Prosperous. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.060 Governed with wisdom. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.620 And gaining. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:44.340 A global reputation. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:46.000 As a great nation. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.460 It's also a golden era. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.300 Because seemingly. 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:51.000 Everything surrounding Solomon. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.259 Was made of gold. 00:13:53.780 --> 00:13:55.259 There seems to be gold. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.920 Absolutely everywhere. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.600 In just chapter 10. 00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.759 Verses 14. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.899 To 29. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.240 Gold is mentioned. 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:05.000 10 times. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:07.600 If you look at the weights of gold. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.180 There is mentioned in this chapter. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.200 And the surrounding passages. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:11.720 It is. 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:13.139 Mind boggling. 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.559 Chapter 10. 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.259 Verse 14. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:18.179 666 talents of gold. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:20.179 As his staple income. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.299 Not including. 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:23.120 The trade with merchants. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.539 And Arabian kings. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.059 Chapter 10. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:26.779 Verse 10. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.939 The queen of Sheba. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.580 Gives the king. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.840 120 talents. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.740 Of gold. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.819 Chapter 9. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.720 Verse 28. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:36.200 The ship sailing back from Orpha. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.620 420. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.220 Talents of gold. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.740 If you total up just these three figures. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:46.879 Which isn't anything near the total amount of gold that Solomon owned. 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:51.139 You get 41 tons of gold. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:57.639 Which for your information at 48.2 million pounds a ton. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:02.440 Comes to a total combined value of just under 2 billion pounds. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:07.340 And quite a lot of that is coming in year after year. 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.660 And people keep turning up to the palace. 00:15:09.780 --> 00:15:10.780 Bringing gold. 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:11.900 And silver. 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.300 Horses. 00:15:14.900 --> 00:15:15.580 And mules. 00:15:16.880 --> 00:15:20.940 What do you do if you have 2 billion pounds? 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:25.140 Well if you're Solomon you make some ornamental shields. 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.640 About 500. 00:15:28.280 --> 00:15:29.480 Two different sizes. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:36.360 500 golden shields in verse 16. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:42.340 He taught up the total value invested in these ornaments. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:48.680 70,780,742 pounds and 80 pence. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:52.639 Or about the equivalent of one really good Premier League footballer. 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:58.960 See as well what the chronicler says about silver 21B. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:02.860 Nothing was made of silver. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:08.320 Because silver was considered of little value in Solomon's days. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.940 Verse 27. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:13.899 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones. 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:19.019 And cedar as plentiful as sycamore fig trees in the foothills. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:24.899 The family silver is worthless in Solomon's kingdom. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:27.799 The second hand cutlery market. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:30.960 The bottom has fallen out of it. 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:35.340 And yet if you remember what we read in Deuteronomy 17. 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.659 Verse 17b. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:39.399 God says explicitly. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:46.279 The king must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:51.819 It's important to remember that God said he would give Solomon riches. 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:56.120 When he prays for wisdom God says I'll give you what you haven't asked for. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:17:00.000 I will give you riches as well. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:04.579 And yet how much wealth is too much wealth? 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:09.599 How many golden shields are too many golden shields? 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:14.380 Well I don't know but I dare say it's somewhere between one and five hundred. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:25.180 Scarily in the Bible the only place with a similar density of references to gold. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:30.060 Is when God is laying down how the tabernacle is to be built. 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:36.500 The gold is also what is overlaid all around the tabernacle. 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:41.680 As something worthy to represent God's dwelling on earth. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:48.779 And scarily it seems that Solomon is overlaying his quarters. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.500 With a similar amount of gold. 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:55.400 To try and suggest that perhaps he's trying to compete. 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:59.920 Perhaps he's having ideas above his station. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:07.680 We've already noted two weeks ago that Solomon spends nearly twice as long building his house. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.779 As he does building the temple. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:13.940 Is there something going on in Solomon's life? 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:17.980 That as wealth increases gold ceases to be good. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:22.000 And gold starts to be God's. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:27.920 There is enough in these chapters to suggest that as Shakespeare comments in Romeo and Juliet. 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:32.799 That gold has poisoned Solomon's heart. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:36.339 Next let's have a look at his throne. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.919 Oh I did some maths for you all. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:46.139 The throne. 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:50.740 1 Kings 10 verses 18 to 20. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:58.480 Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:03.339 The throne had six steps and its back had a rounded top. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:08.500 On both sides of the seat were armrests with a lion standing beside each of them. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:11.240 Twelve lions stood on the six steps. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.500 One at either end of each step. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:18.819 Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom. 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:26.440 Ivory overlaid with gold seems very decadent. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:34.360 This makes the throne room at Buckingham Palace look like Ikea flat pack. 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.580 Lions everywhere. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.240 Upper six step. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.240 Elevation. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.680 Grandiose. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.400 Ostentatious. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:47.200 This is almost the furniture of legend. 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:50.080 And in fact Solomon's throne enters into legend. 00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:53.600 This ornate furniture. 00:19:54.420 --> 00:20:00.000 This is certainly Solomon grandstanding before a watching and visiting world. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:04.880 Here is a painting by the 19th century painter Edward Poynter. 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:07.780 Which tries to imagine what this looks like. 00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:08.780 How grand. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.780 How marvellous. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:11.780 How high. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.100 How golden. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:17.740 And yet back in Deuteronomy 17. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.060 When he takes the throne of his kingdom. 00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:25.019 He is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:27.660 Taken from that of the Levitical priests. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:31.820 It is to be with him and he is to read all the days of his life. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:34.759 So that he may learn to revere the Lord his God. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.759 And follow carefully all the words of this law and decrees. 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:43.759 And not consider himself better than his fellow enemies. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.900 Israelites. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:49.700 And not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites. 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:51.759 He is to be one like them. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:21:04.720 And yet there is nothing about a huge golden throne of ivory overlaid with gold that suggests that he thinks he is anything like any of his subjects. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:09.140 Surely this throne is built in order that he might be considered better. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.339 Higher. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.500 Higher. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.620 Higher revered. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:16.400 By all those that he governs under his kingdom. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:19.740 This is Solomon pedestalling Solomon. 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:24.880 He wants to be the king of his castle. 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:28.500 And then finally to get an idea of his wealth. 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.460 Look at his weapons. 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:31.160 Chapter 10 verse 26. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:35.420 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:42.940 He had 1400 chariots and 12,000 horses which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:50.740 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones and cedar as plentiful as sycamore fig trees in the foothills. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:55.460 Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kew. 00:21:55.460 --> 00:22:00.000 The royal merchants purchased them from Kew at the current price. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:07.059 They imported a chariot from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150. 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:14.559 They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:19.000 Solomon to further his wealth becomes an arms dealer. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:23.920 He buys horses and chariots low and he sells them high. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:26.140 He imports them from Egypt. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:30.960 He exports them to the Hittites and the Arameans. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:35.080 He takes them from the place that God says don't go back there. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:38.740 And he sells them to all the historic enemies of God's people. 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:40.039 That seems like a great idea. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:47.279 This again is in direct contravention of God's law. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.839 Deuteronomy 17, 16. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:57.680 The king moreover must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:02.139 For the Lord has told you not to go back that way again. 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:05.819 So we ask what is he doing in chapter 10? 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:14.779 Doing great arms deals with all the people that God says don't do that. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:20.339 He's told to read God's law every day to keep it with them. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:25.119 And here he's just trespassing it, transgressing it. 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:30.299 Each and every day is a major economic policy in his kingdom. 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:40.919 This whole overview of Solomon's wealth strikes of a nouveau riche king accumulating, exhibiting his wealth, glorifying himself. 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:46.980 A king for whom gold seems to have become a god. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:55.339 Solomon certainly seems to be turning more towards the treasury than he is towards the temple. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:24:01.900 Such is the opulence he's living in and the deals that he's doing. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:07.440 And as I've been thinking about this this week, it just leaves you with sadness. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:27.480 It leaves you with sadness that this king who was greatly gifted seems to turn in on himself and start becoming a self-worshipper, a self-glorifier who does exactly the opposite of what God says the king is supposed to do in Deuteronomy 17. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:31.319 And so Solomon's kingdom is a shiny kingdom. 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:35.960 But it also leaves you feeling like it's an incredibly empty kingdom. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:39.519 That the gold doesn't seem to satisfy. 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:43.640 And he sets his heart on more and more and more. 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.839 Exuberant excess. 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:50.079 But incredible emptiness. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:25:00.899 And this whole display, this whole kingdom, this whole promotion of the king himself, just leaves us yearning for a better king. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:09.720 A king who doesn't just get for himself, who doesn't just glorify himself, who isn't just self-serving in his life. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:20.900 And thankfully, as we read on in our Bibles, the unfolding story of God, we find such a person who is a king who's not just accumulating for himself, 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:27.059 but a king who had absolutely everything and gave it all for us. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:35.160 Who lived in the opulence road room of heaven and yet came down in the most humble circumstances. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:47.340 A king who didn't use his high position to gain, but a king who gave up his high position to give. 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:56.600 A king who didn't consume exorbitant amounts of food, but a king who miraculously provided exorbitant amounts of food. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:26:00.380 A king who didn't place a heavy burden on his subjects, 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:06.220 but a king who says, come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:12.400 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:16.880 A king who, though he owned everything, humbled himself, 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:21.120 becoming a servant in his earthly life, 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:24.820 just about owned the clothes on his back and nothing more. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:29.960 He went told, can I follow you, says the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:33.059 He didn't even have a pop-up tent for one, 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:37.759 let alone a palace laden with gold. 00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:44.559 A king who wasn't coronated by sitting on a resplendent throne six steps up, 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:48.799 but a king who was crowned on a cruel Roman cross, 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:54.500 outside a city the subject of scorn and shame. 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:59.240 One who didn't stockpile weapons to ensure his own security, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:05.799 but one who laid down his life that we might be secure forever. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:10.700 One who didn't turn his heart away from God's law, 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:16.220 but one who obeyed, even when it cost him absolutely everything. 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:19.359 Paul writes to the Corinthians, 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:22.259 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:27.659 that though he was rich, rich beyond Solomon's wildest dreams, 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:31.359 yet for your sake he became poor, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:35.139 so that you through his poverty might become rich. 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:40.720 That is the glorious good news of this servant king, king Jesus. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:45.960 And you see the permanence of Jesus' kingdom, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:48.879 a kingdom that will last forever and ever. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:53.159 And when you place it alongside Solomon's kingdom, 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:56.359 we see that Solomon's kingdom is a slippery kingdom. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:03.500 Because if we flick over a couple of pages to 1 Kings 14 verses 25 and 26, 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.279 we read this. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:09.399 After Solomon dies, Rehoboam his son takes over. 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:11.000 The kingdom splits. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:15.480 And it says this. 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:20.960 And then verse 27, 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:32.120 He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:36.660 And then verse 27, Rehoboam tries to do a face-serving exercise. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:40.779 So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:45.840 and assign these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace. 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:48.220 See how fleeting it was. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:50.579 The treasury was full. 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:56.480 But as soon as it was filled, it was emptied by Shishak, the king of Egypt. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:01.700 Solomon, the wealthiest and potentially the wisest man who has ever lived, 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:05.140 becomes the epitome of the rich fool in Luke's gospel. 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.819 The one who thought, I've got it all. 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.660 Let me just eat, drink and be merry. 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:13.940 But in the end, it could do nothing for him. 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:22.140 In an instant, his incredible wealth is carted away as the kingdom of his son is spoiled and ransacked. 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:30.980 The treasure stored on earth certainly did fall foul of the thieves that really did break in and steal. 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:34.560 Woody Allen picks up a similar sentiment with his comment, 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:37.460 I'm very proud of my gold pocket watch. 00:29:37.540 --> 00:29:40.980 My grandfather on his deathbed sold me this watch. 00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:47.140 Solomon's wealth was ultimately worthless in the economy of heaven. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.400 He even picks it up in Ecclesiastes, 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:53.740 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:57.380 because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:30:00.240 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish. 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:04.220 Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil, 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:07.600 into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.500 This too is meaningless. 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:14.580 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:16.920 His son came after him. 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:20.180 He was certainly not as wise as Solomon and all too quickly. 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:21.440 It was gone. 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.100 At the end of the day, 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:25.700 all the chess pieces go back in the same box, 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:27.700 whether you're a king or a pawn. 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:34.380 And whether we've been rich towards God or not will be ultimately all that is valuable. 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:36.880 And sitting here tonight, 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:42.380 it would be easy to be overwhelmed with Solomon's wealth and the shininess of gold. 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:49.400 But the New Testament will give us four things that it explicitly says are more valuable than all the gold in the world. 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.300 In Proverbs, 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.800 it says, 00:30:52.020 --> 00:30:53.980 how much better to get wisdom than gold, 00:30:54.520 --> 00:30:56.580 to get insight rather than silver. 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.320 Wisdom, 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.480 more valuable than gold. 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.200 Somebody says, 00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:04.440 you can have all this gold if you give up your God-given wisdom. 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.560 Don't give up your wisdom, 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:08.299 because you're being shortchanged. 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.819 Psalm 119. 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:19.599 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.879 A little bit later on in, 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:26.240 I love your commands more than gold, 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.460 more than pure gold. 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:34.400 Do we honestly believe this is more precious than all the gold that Solomon had? 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:37.920 Because the psalmist says it is. 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:41.420 And if we honestly believe that, 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:46.000 that'll help to orientate our lives and make sure that gold never becomes God. 00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:51.460 But always is a good gift from God to be used for his glory. 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.400 1 Peter, 00:31:53.400 --> 00:32:00.320 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed 00:32:00.320 --> 00:32:04.259 from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:07.420 but with the precious blood of Christ, 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.780 a lamb without blemish. 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:12.180 Something more precious than gold, 00:32:12.280 --> 00:32:15.580 God paid in order that we can be his forever. 00:32:16.300 --> 00:32:18.259 And if we keep that at the forefront of our mind, 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:22.880 that'll stop us chasing after wind and pursuing meaningless. 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:26.519 And what about your faith? 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:27.600 1 Peter 1.7 00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:34.420 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith of greater worth than gold, 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:42.360 which perishes even though refined by fire may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:45.459 Your faith in Jesus, 00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:59.759 Your saving faith in Jesus is of greater, infinite more value than a gold overlaid ivory throne with lions everywhere six steps up. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.319 Don't swap it. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.720 And if we keep that in mind, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:09.179 we'll stop gold being God in our lives as Solomon seems to have done. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:19.480 Surely seeing these of infinite worth will prevent us spending our whole lives accumulating what will ultimately only be moths and rust. 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:24.000 And so you read a little bit further down in Matthew 6. 00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:27.240 And we get a reference to Solomon and his splendour. 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.680 And it says this, 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:51.900 Are you not much more valuable than they? 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:56.300 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:58.759 And why do you worry about clothes? 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:01.080 See how the flowers of the field grow. 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:03.080 They do not labour or spin. 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:10.019 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:16.019 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:20.200 will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith? 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:23.059 So do not worry, saying, 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:26.359 What shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear? 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:29.619 For the pagans run after all these things, 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:33.039 and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 00:34:33.839 --> 00:34:37.919 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:42.419 and all these things will be given to you as well. 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:45.079 What do we see on our high streets? 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.759 Food shops? 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.639 Coffee shops? 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:51.439 Clothes shops? 00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:55.599 If Matthew had been written a little later, mobile phone shops? 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:58.099 And God says, 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.439 Don't worry what you will eat, 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:01.339 what you will drink, 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.799 what you will wear, 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:05.239 what you will access Facebook on. 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:08.559 Because God knows what you need. 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:10.799 But if you seek his kingdom and his righteousness, 00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:14.159 all these things will be given to you. 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:18.619 I want to finish by reading a quote from Spurgeon in his great little book, 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:19.819 which is free on the internet, 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:22.159 The Saint and the Saviour. 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:24.359 This is what he writes, 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:29.119 Men know not the gold which lies in the mind of Christ Jesus, 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:32.259 or surely they were digging it night and day. 00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:35.860 They have not yet discovered the pearl of great price, 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:39.880 or they would have sold their altar by the field wherein it lies. 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:45.519 The person of Christ strikes eloquent dumb when it would describe him. 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:50.759 It paralyzes the artist's arm when with fair colours he would portray him. 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:53.960 It would overwhelm the sculptor to carve his image, 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:57.800 even were it possible to chisel it in a massive block of diamond. 00:35:57.800 --> 00:36:01.680 There is naught in nature to compare to him. 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:05.380 Before his radiance, the brilliance of the sun is dimmed. 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:08.280 Yes, nothing can compete with him. 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:13.800 Say, oh, heaven itself blushes at its own paleness of countenance 00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:17.960 when his altogether lovely person is beheld. 00:36:18.660 --> 00:36:19.660 Let's pray together.