One of the writing projects I would like to engage would be to choose about one hundred personages from the Bible, persons not major to the spiritual plan of salvation, and tell their stories as I perceive them from both history and the human experience. There are four hundred persons in the Bible from whom we learn at least one lesson important to physical and/or spiritual life advancement. The physical has to do with an individual alone or in society in the world. The spiritual also deals with the individual and society. Even though there is significant overlap, the physical is managed, for the most part, in a humanistic context, identified as secular. The spiritual is other worldly and defines matters not so much in the meaning of human life and death, but in the meaning of immortality and its route related to God. There is a pattern for living in the World recommended for effective natural development applied to all persons, whether theistic or atheistic. From God, there is a level playing field in nature for all mortals. Matters go well or poorly for all. Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5:45) God is fair to all.
The personal, historical, and human dimensions in the reporting of the Bible authors are impressive. They provide context and insight to the larger story of God in the unfolding of the plan of salvation for mankind. Hiram was the King of Tyre, an area now known as Lebanon. It was somewhat wealthy, known for its sea trade relating to Asia Minor, Europe and Africa. Tyre was a neighboring nation to Israel. King Hiram and King David were friends, and the relationship was both for international business and personal friendship. Scripture notes that Hiram had always been on friendly terms with David. He extended his good will to Solomon after the death of David. Solomon returned the friendly message from Hiram with one of his own, when he asked a favor: that the king would cut timber from the cedars of Tyre to be used in the construction of God’s house. Costs would be borne by Israel, and workers from both countries would labor together on the project. Hiram was greatly pleased and praised the Lord, who had given David a wise son to rule over this great nation. With that Hiram went to work, designed a means of transport for so great a transfer of timber from his port to Solomon’s. From that destination Solomon’s men took over moving the timber to the area of construction. National borders and authority were recognized and respected. Solomon paid for the materials, fed all the workers, and made transport of wheat to Hiram. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram, year after year. The details show an advanced administration for the rulers and the peoples. It was modern.
The story extends for the building of both Solomon’s house and the Temple. It took twenty years to completion. The Cedars of Lebanon increased in fame because of the project. The narrative is even warmer in the story of Huram, the son of a woman of Israel married to a man of Tyre. Apparently the mixed blooded fellow, taught to be an artisan by his father, was deeply committed to the future of Israel. As a metal craftsman he devoted his artistry to the Temple. The narrative elaborates. In all, the details tell us something about nations, different administrations, good will in acceptance to work together on projects worthy of the attention of any who respect benefits to others, perhaps also to God’s plan, in peace. The impression is largest in the cooperation of nations in trade, good will, and respect for purpose. Leaders of nations, relating to their own interests and cultures, can find the grace of mankind, like God’s common grace, permitting safety and contexts for all so to peacefully search for truth. The common events of David/Solomon and Hiram/Huram demonstrate how persons/nations ought to function. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020