June 4, 2003
Solomon here continues to appear great both at home and abroad. We had this account of his grandeur, 1 Kings 10. Nothing is here added; but his defection towards his latter end, which we have there (2 Chronicles 11), is here omitted, and the close of this chapter brings him to the grave with an unstained reputation. Perhaps none of the chapters in the Chronicles agree so much with a chapter in the Kings as this does with 1 Kings 10 verse for verse, only that the first two verses there are put into one here, and verse 25 here is taken from #1Ki 4:26, and the last three verses here from #1Ki 11:41-43. (MH)
In this chapter, we read of the earthly glories of Solomon, but we stand in the presence of the greater than Solomon:
Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here
Everything that is said here can be applied to Christ.
For all of his faults, Solomon honoured God, and God honoured him with world-wide fame and fortune beyond belief. Obviously, Solomon was an exception, for God has not honoured anyone since Solomon like He did Solomon, which was the promise to Solomon.
Vv. 1-12
1)
Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from
the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
This queen was not a queen of some unknown spot on the earth, but she was in a place of great wealth. Look at the gifts she brought to Solomon. The Sabeans were exceedingly rich in fine gold, spices and precious stones, v. 9.
The Lord uses her as an example to condemn His generation for not even listening to the greater than Solomon though He was right among them.
The world's thought today toward the followers of Christ was expressed by Ted Turner, "Religion is for losers". However, neither Solomon nor the queen of Sheba were losers.
2) hearing of the wisdom and glory of Solomon, she had to come find it out for herself.
John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
The wisdom of God is available for all in the written Word of God. Many cannot find any time, or no more than a few minutes on Sunday, to seek that wisdom. The queen here traveled many miles to find the true wisdom she had only heard about. She was not disappointed, nor will we be as we seek the true wisdom from God's word.
3) v. 2, she shared all that was on her heart, and asked him hard questions. The Spirit of God revealed everything to him that was asked of him by the queen. Solomon held nothing back.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to
know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are
without, all these things are done in parables: 34 But without
a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he
expounded all things to his disciples.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant
knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends;
for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known
unto you.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him.
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.
When I was in Louisiana as an associate pastor, I used to fear telling all I knew, for I would then have nothing more for folks. The pastor there told me to "use it or lose it", so I started giving out all I had. It was not long before I had far more from God than I could ever share with others.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Though the passage above speaks of monetary help, it can apply
— we should labour in the word of God that we may have to
give to him that needeth God's wisdom. We should work at having
God's wisdom to give at every opportunity.
4) vv. 3, 4, seeing all that Solomon had, the buildings he had
accomplished (which was God's purpose for Solomon–building),
and the organization of everything, she was overcome. I suppose
you could say, she was speechless.
I must say that one of my major weaknesses is having orderly affairs. Solomon was a near perfect example of orderliness, which evidently is a mark of godliness. God is not the author of confusion:
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
5) vv. 5, 6, the things she had heard about Solomon were so outlandish that she could not believe them, so she came to see for herself. What she saw was even greater than what she had heard.
John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
We should be so overcome with the goodness we have found in Christ that others would want to find for themselves if it is true.
6) v. 7, there was no sorrow in serving Solomon. All of his servants were happy to be within hearing distance of Solomon, so they could hear his wisdom. Evidently, Solomon was so filled with the spirit of wisdom that he could not keep quiet. He would share his wisdom with anyone who was within hearing distance, which made the servants quite happy.
People thronged around Jesus to hear His wisdom. However, they also thronged Him for the food they thought they would get. Their longing was a natural longing, not a supernatural longing, so He refused to let them set Him up as a king.
7) v. 8, here a pagan queen credits God with what she saw, yet the Jews could not admit that God had anything to do with Christ, though they saw the greatness of God in Him.
Seeing the amazing things God did for Solomon and for those under Solomon, she praised God. Note that she was not envious, saying, "Why him and them and not me and mine?", which is what most of us would do. Rather than praise God for the gifts and abilities He gives to others, we wonder why we are not able to do the same thing. There is far more envy in our hearts over the prosperity, whether Godly or not, of others than there is praise in our hearts over their prosperity:
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Full of envy. "Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent, excited by another's prosperity, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed." Webster. This passion is so common still, that it is not necessary to attempt to prove that it was common among the ancients. It seems to be natural to the human heart, it is one of the most common manifestations of wickedness, and shows clearly the deep depravity of man. Benevolence rejoices at the happiness of others, and seeks to promote it. But envy exists almost everywhere, and in almost every human bosom:
" All human virtue, to its latest breath
Finds envy never conquered but by death."
Pope. (Barnes.)
envy; at the superior knowledge and learning, wealth and riches, happiness, and outward prosperity of others: (Gill)
If anything, we should envy another's godly wisdom and godliness enough to work to imitate those things.
This lady was a true queen. She blessed God for His blessings upon another person, Solomon. She praised God for the prosperity of another. Can we?
This queen spoke of Israel's spiritual Head, who reigns in perfect judgment and justice.
8) God delighted in Solomon to set him upon the throne. God delighted in His people Israel to give them a king as Solomon.
God is the one who establishes kings and rulers, and He turns their hearts:
Proverbs 21:1 The king‘s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
We should bless God when godly leaders are in power. It is certainly a sign of God's favor to establish godly rulers who are determined to render justice and proper judgment. There have been such rulers throughout history, but their "history" has been short lived as was David's and his son, Solomon's. Sin soon enters in to replace justice and judgment with lust, pride and love of money and power.
On the other hand, it is a sign of God's judgment when ungodly leaders are in power, as we have today.
Notice the queen said, set thee on his throne. All power belongs to God; thus, all thrones of any kind of authority, whether in the family, occupation, &c., are His thrones. He is the one who establishes anyone in any place of authority.
To be king for the LORD thy God. We are reminded of Romans 13, where we are told that civil rulers are God's representatives on earth. God's calling not only to the civil magistrate, but to all people in any place of authority, is to render justice and judgment in a manner that good works can prosper.
9) v. 9, her gift was not cheap. The talent was probably equaled 120 lbs troy, so that would be 120 x 120 (14,400) x 16, would equal 230,400 oz of gold. (ISBE, gold talent, $30,750 in 1915.) The gold and the spices given by the queen were the best in the world of the day.
This queen's gift was not cheap. She gave according to how God had prospered her:
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind,
it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according
to that he hath not.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God
loveth a cheerful giver.
No gift is too good for our king. Having been on church staffs for 30 years, I found that when something was old and worn out, the people would bring it to the Lord to be used at the church. In fact, I find it hard to even think in any other way than to give to the church what I no longer need nor can use.
10) vv. 10, 11, the queen's gift was only part of Solomon's income. The algum trees were very precious, and made beautiful wooden objects.
Solomon did not need this queen's gift, but her gift recognized God's hand upon Solomon. God does not need our gifts, but they recognize who He is.
11) Huram worked to increase Solomon's wealth. God had indeed turned many hearts toward Solomon, each helping to build up his wealth.
Isaiah 60:5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
RSV:
Isaiah 60:5 Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 11 Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut; that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.
The promise is that the wealth of the nations actually belongs to the church.
12) v. 12, the king gave to the queen whatever she desired. Implied here is that he sent her home with what she came with, and more, even beyond his regular kingly hospitality. Both Solomon and the queen were very generous, him to her, and her to him.
Note also that our King gives:
1) The right words at the right time, if we have studied the Word (note the context is to the disciples who did not have the written words of Christ):
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
2) daily supply of all we need:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
3) answered prayer:
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
4) wisdom:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Our generosity is to be toward the King:
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
V. 12 [1 Kings 10:13]:
Ver. 13. All her desire, whatsoever she asked.] Some say she came to Solomon, as Thalestris queen of the amazons afterwards did to Alexander the Great, to have issue by him; and that he married her and sent her away to her own country great with a son, whom she called David, whose race continueth to this day. {a} (Trapp)
Observe: Though Solomon had great wisdom and wealth, he understood that those things were not for him. They were given to him to glorify God, which he tried to do. Note that this chapter ends with Solomon's death, and it contains nothing negative about him. Elsewhere we read that he loved many women, and those women turned his heart away from God.
Moreover, we can trust our King, who is "Greater than Solomon" to give us more than we give Him.
Vv. 13-31
1) though there were no gold, silver nor precious wood and stones in his land, he had an abundance of precious things. God, no doubt, placed in the hearts of others to give to Solomon in order to fulfill His promise.
V. 13, 666 talents = 1,278,920 ozs. of gold, which is a good yearly income. This did not count his income from the surrounding rulers.
Solomon's wealth is beyond belief, but it did not spare him from the grave. God's promise to him was fulfilled:
2 Chronicles 1:12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Kings throughout history have been known for their abilities to make war and conquer other nations, as well as demanding that no one approach them, e.g., the book of Esther. However, Solomon in all of his wealth and wisdom, gave all free access to himself and his throne. His 40 year reign was a reign of great peace, prosperity and openness.
And so is our King—He is the Prince of Peace, owning all the cattle on every hill, the earth and its fullness:
Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S. (Psalms 24:1, 1 Corinthians 10:26, 28.)
Yet with all of His power and wealth, He urges us to come boldly unto His throne:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Notice above that He know that the primary time we will seek Him is in the time of need. In other words, we cannot say, "I only go to Him when I have a need, so I won't go to at all". Pride. He knows we are nothing but dust, and He tells us to come to Him in our need.
2) no king ever had such a great public display of wealth and splendor as did Solomon: 200 targets and 300 shields, all of beaten gold were carried before him. His throne was unlike any other throne in the world. Yet in all his splendor, his did not compare to the natural beauty God established in creation:
Matthew 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Nor can King Solomon compare to the beauty and glory of our King Jesus, as He sits on His heavenly throne, described in Ezekiel 1, 10, Isaiah 6, 66, 1 Kings 22:19, Daniel 7:9, Ephesians 1:20ff., Revelation 4, 15, &c.
3) v. 14, God established Solomon, and the surrounding great men and kings freely, not as the tribute of captive nations, brought great gifts to him. We are not told why they did this; maybe for trade, for friendship or simply because God moved them. The kings of the earth brought great riches to Solomon, as they did to the Greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31):
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
They brought gifts, as we are to do:
Psalms 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
However, our gifts are much more than just material goods. If we give to Him what is required, He will have our material goods:
Romans 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (See Isaiah 58:1-6.)
We see in Isaiah 60, that there is a day coming when the kings of the earth shall bring great riches to the Greater than Solomon. The prophecy is not of a literal, bodily reign of King Jesus as was King Solomon's. Rather, Isaiah's prophecy is that the true church, the Israel of God — that is, those who are named the Priests of the Lord or the Ministers of our God (1 Peter 2:5, 9) — will enjoy the riches of the Gentiles, i.e., the unsaved, Isaiah 61:6.
Yes, the kings of the earth came to Solomon, and under the "New Covenant" the Greater than Solomon is to be taken to the kings of the earth (Matthew 28:19, 20). Yet Isaiah promises that a day is coming when all the earth will seek after King Jesus.
Certainly, it does not appear to the natural eyes that such a thing is possible, but we must view all situations through the light of God's word (John 7:24). Moreover, I don't see why we find it so difficult to believe that the heathens will one day honor and reverence the church, for it was very evident that God moved the hearts of the pagans to come to Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:14), especially when He is identified as the Greater than Solomon. Nor can we forget that we are talking of the Son of God when we speak of our King. Thus, even human reason can understand that the Father will give Him more glory than He gave Solomon. And Isaiah 61 tells us that the "glory" will be towards His church.
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
"Sure", one might say. "When He sits on David's throne in Jerusalem, all the great men of the earth will have to come to Him." The problem with that line of though is that the context of Isaiah 61:6:
Chapter 58:1-7, gives the complaint against those who profess to be His people, and the call for them to repent issued through the men of God. The people profess to know the Lord, yet their actions are quite contrary to their profession.
Vv. 8-12, they answer the call, repent, and God answers their call upon Him, and provides blessings abundantly for them. Vv. 13, 14, continue the promise of blessings.
59:1-8, continues the message to God's people, pointing out their sins.
59:9-15:
The scope of this paragraph is the same with that of the last,
to show that sin is the great mischief-maker; as it is that which
keeps good things from us, so it is that which brings evil things
upon us. But as there it is spoken by the prophet, in God's name,
to the people, for their conviction and humiliation, and that
God might be justified when he speaks and clear when he judges,
so here it seems to be spoken by the people to God, as an acknowledgment
of that which was there told them and an expression of their humble
submission and subscription to the justice and equity of God's
proceedings against them. Their uncircumcised hearts here seem
to be humbled in some measure, and they are brought to confess
(the confession is at least extorted from them), that God had
justly walked contrary to them, because they had walked contrary
to him. (MH)
59:16-21, here the Lord steps in with salvation. In zeal, he takes
vengeance upon his enemies, and redeems his people. The result
is that men everywhere shall fear the name of the Lord. The chapter
closed with an everlasting covenant with his people, the church.
Isaiah 60:
This whole chapter is all to the same purport, all in the same strain; it is a part of God's covenant with his church, which is spoken of in the last verse of the foregoing chapter, and the blessings here promised are the fruits of the word and Spirit there promised. The long continuance of the church, even unto the utmost ages of time, was there promised, and here the large extent of the church, even unto the utmost regions of the earth; and both these tend to the honour of the Redeemer. (MH)
Isaiah 61:
In this chapter,
I. We are sure to find the grace of Christ, published by himself
to a lost world in the everlasting gospel, under the type and
figure of Isaiah's province, which was to foretell the deliverance
of the Jews out of Babylon, #Isa 61:1-3.
II. We think we find the glories of the church of Christ, its
spiritual glories, described under the type and figure of the
Jews' prosperity after their return out of their captivity. (MH)
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
The promise is that the riches of the Gentiles will become the possessions of the Priests and Ministers of our God, the church.
4) 2 Chronicles 9:15, 16, Solomon used the wealth to beautify the house of God first of all, and then for his own use.
At this point in his life, he desired to honour God first of all, Mat. 6;33.
5) v. 17, see 1 Kings 10:19, my note there is below:
Round — 05696. lge agol or lwge agol (722c); from the
same as 05695; round:—
NAS-circular (3), round (3).
05695. lge egel (722a); from an unused word; a calf:—
NAS-calf (22), calf's (1), calves (12).
Note that the Hebrew word for round and calf are the same. Those who translated calf here take the word to signify that there was a figure of a calf behind the throne. If so, we see calf worship appearing again, 12:28.
[1 Kings 10] 18-26. a great throne of ivory—It seems to have been made not of solid ivory, but veneered. It was in the form of an armchair, with a carved back. The ascent to it was by six steps, on each of which stood lions, in place of a railing—while a lion, probably of gilt metal, stood at each side, which, we may suppose from the analogy of other Oriental thrones, supported a canopy. A golden footstool is mentioned (#2Ch 9:18) as attached to this throne, whose magnificence is described as unrivalled. (JFB)
I will have to go with JFB's explanation of the throne.
Six steps... Man at his best is still short (7) of perfection as exemplified in Christ.
6) v. 22, all of his wisdom did not keep him out of trouble. He did not practice what he taught
7) v. 23, great men from all over the known world brought great gifts to Solomon, perhaps because they wanted his friendship or just to hear his wisdom.
1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
These great men willingly served Solomon. We should willingly serve our King, and one day, all nations will indeed serve Him through the Gospel Church, Isaiah 58-61.
Christ pointed out that the great lengths these men went to in order to hear Solomon's wisdom will rise up in judgment against His present generation who refused to hear God's wisdom though It was right among them:
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here
1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I wonder how much God would send the world to beat a path to the nation that is right with Him?
V. 24 sounds like the promise given to the Gospel Church in Isaiah chapter 60.
8) vv. 25-28 give an account of the wealth of Solomon, as well as the boarders of his kingdom. Solomon possessed all the land of promise, as given to Abraham.
Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with
Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the
river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Exodus 23:31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even
unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the
river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your
hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
Joshua 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which
the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Joshua 23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all
the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls,
that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the
LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto
you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto
his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath
not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised
by the hand of Moses his servant.
David speaks of the reign of the king's son, Psalms 72. Though he seems to be speaking of Solomon, for many of the things were fulfilled in Solomon, it is clear that this Psalm refers to King Jesus.
Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
In Christ, the promised land is extended to include the whole world, as the Apostles were told to go into all the world and conquer it for Christ by preaching the gospel, and teaching all nations to follow the word of God:
Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
(See notes on "Israel false claim to land.wpd" which will be in a mailing.)
9) V. 27, an abundance of anything drops its value, and silver, as well as cedar wood, became almost valueless in Jerusalem.
10) V. 28, evidently Solomon had income producing businesses; this one was importing and selling horses to the surrounding nations. Horses would have been greatly valued in the land, and he had a good connection with Egypt, seeing as how he married a princess from there.
V. 29, more of Solomon's activities were recorded elsewhere, but we do not have the records. We have only what God wants us to have.
Vv. 30, 31, Solomon reigned forty years, and he died. He left all his wealth behind, the wealth of gold and silver, and the wealth of wisdom.
The gold and silver soon was scattered over the world, but portions of his wisdom remain—Proverbs, Songs and Ecclesiastes.
Though we may work a lifetime to gather gold and silver, even with good motives of building God's kingdom or leaving it to our children, it will soon be scattered into the pagans' hands. However, godly wisdom can be left behind in writing. There are great man of the past who wrote down their wisdom, e.g., CH. Spurgeon, John Gill, John Trapp. We know not what happened to their material goods, and though their libraries may still be around, their children have long since lost their legacy. However, their wisdom lives on in the printed page, probably influencing more now than did their spoken words. (Job 19:24.) There are numerous men of the past about whom we can say the same thing.
Solomon dies with no mention of how he departed from the Lord. Let us not take delight in the faults of others:
2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
Then again, Solomon may have repented of his sins of departing from the Lord to follow his wives many gods. If so, the sins are never mentioned again.
David speaking of Saul, said that we should not "publish" the weaknesses and failure of others who claim to be God's people for the world to see and mock.
And Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
Evidently, Solomon only had one son along with two daughters. (1 Kings 4:11, 15.) That is strange, seeing as how he had 300 wives and 700 concubines. Obviously, sex to simply satisfy one's lust does not produce a lot of children.
Hosea 4:10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.
Notice how whordoms are rampant in the once Christian "Western" societies, yet the birth rate is dropping dangerously low.