Topic:  Value

Scripture:

26 King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. [j] 27 And Hiram sent his men—sailors who knew the sea—to serve in the fleet with Solomon's men. 28 They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents [k] of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

(NIV) 1 Kings 9:26-28

Observation:

Obviously King Solomon had built up business relationships with other Kings, such as King Hiram.  They coordinated  an expedition to go to Ophir, to bring back gold, 420 talents to be exact.  It makes me wonder what kind of method it took to dig out that much gold, how many people and workers were utilized, how did they navigate their way to Ophir (stars, etc.), and what it might have looked like loading up 16 tons (420 talents) of Gold.  It seems when it came to King Solomon--everything was done on a "Grand Scale" unto the Lord.

Application:

Again, I'm intrigued with King Solomon's ability to resource materials to build the Temple and Palace . To get a feel of what kind of value in today's market the Gold would be worth, it is estimated that the 16 tons of Gold Solomon's men retrieved was in the neighborhood of 200-300 million dollars, dependent on the quality of Gold.

And again we must ask ourselves, how much "Value" am I putting on my relationship with God, in relation to my 'Time, Talent and Treasure" that are within my disposal.

Prayer:

Lord, as I read about the treasure, value and wealth that Gold can bring, it does not come even close to the "treasure, value and wealth" that Your Love for us is worth.  Help me to better understand Your Love for me as each day passes by, so that I may in turn tell others about it and Your marvelous Grace for us......in Jesus Name...Amen