Why is it not wise to press religious beliefs?
King Solomon built the first Temple as a home for Yahweh and the Arc of the Covenant. The Arc is described in great detail in the Bible along with the size of the Temple. Building the Temple was a great and holy accomplishment of unity of the Israelite people.
The following is a novel excerpt explaining how Solomon replied to the Queen of Sheba the reason why he first wanted religious consensus from the priests, some who objected to the Arc being placed permanently in the Temple instead of remaining in sight and mobile to the people in the original Holy Tent. The novel is a contemporary application story to promote understanding of the ancient history of wisdom and wise sayings in relation to our modern world.
Bilqis had been quietly attentive to my story. Her face now displayed a somewhat confused look. I asked her why and she replied.
“You are the King; you promised your father that you would build the Temple. Why are you asking the priests to decide if you could build the Temple? Do you not have final authority over them?”
“Bilqis, the subject of religious matters is volcanic. If a ruler provokes their subjects about this topic they turn sourer than milk curds, and he will have erupted within them to spill out hot anger beyond their limits same as hot lava flows from a volcano.”
“In other words, when you press milk through a cloth, you will produce sour curds. When you press men to anger, you will produce blooded noses and strife. What you press to produce, you must then contend with your makings.” For the making of milk produces curds, and the pressing of the nose produces blood, and the pressing of anger produces strife. (Proverb 30:33)
“Bilqis, I could have pressed the priests to follow my commands. However, there will be less strife and anger for you to contend with when you lead your subjects to agree and help plan with you, rather than to force them to obey your authority.”
“What would you have done if they voted against your plans?”
“Because I believed the covenant my father made with Yahweh was true, I was confident that Yahweh would provide the means for the priests to approve my plans. I also believe that no matter how well men may plan, their plans are not final and strictly under their control. Amenemope, the great Egyptian wise man wrote. One thing is the words which men say, another is that which the Gods decide. If the tongue of man were the rudder of a boat, the All-Lord is its pilot. Man proposes, but God disposes.”
As A Lily Among Thorns – A Story of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and the Goddess of Wisdom by Rudy U Martinka
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