Prologue
Another one from the scribbles of decades past.
Rest
Only comfort of weary nights,
Days of endless dispassioned flights,
Toils and troubles so cloak my sight,
Burdened, helpless to face the fight.
What is rest?
God promised the Israelites rest: the so-called Promised Land. This legendary realm boasted peace and prosperity, freedom from the inimical desires and passions of their neighbors. They dreamt of this utopian paradise—utopian only to our skeptical minds. The difficulty, however, was with man’s own nature: for, when God prevailed, His people failed. When He persevered, they disappeared. In every conjurable way He grasped out to them, trying to provide them with a rest. And, when God finally succeeded—despite the best efforts of man to the contrary, the story ends in disappointment and loss.
Such a utopian state of rest was achieved under the kingship of Solomon, son of David. Under his reign, the nation of Israel extended across the Mediterranean’s eastern seaboard, stretching from Egypt of Turkey. A magnificent palace was erected, demonstrating the inexhaustible wealth and prosperity of the Hebrews. Further, the glorious tabernacle had been succeeded by a brilliant jewel: the Temple of Solomon. What more could be asked for? Paradise had been achieved, the kingdom of Heaven had come to earth! But then we turn the page and discover Solomon’s incompetence—or, rather, the incompetence and frailty of men. This great builder of the Temple, this impassioned seeker of wisdom, embraces foreign idols, abandoning Yahweh for carved sticks and stones. At his death, the kingdom splits into two, and inevitably falls to foreigners, Yahweh forgotten.
The kingdom had fallen: it had failed. Heaven wept, for man could not return to God upon his own feebleness. He was dead, dying. But God did not relent of His oath to provide rest, but waylaid it. First, the image of man must be reelevated to the level of perfection: his fallen nature being insufficient. Thus, the people of Israel were prepared, as in days of old. Messengers from the Almighty persistently sought to return the Jews to the utopian paradise, yet their sinful humanity remained. So, these prophets foretold a new Solomon who would establish a new Israel encircling the world that would eternally endure. But this neo-Solomon would repaint the tarnished vessel of humanity, reforge the blade that was broken, and reignite the flame that was lost. No longer would humanity be broken, hurting: he would be a new creation, a citizen of Heaven.
Alas this prince arrived, born of the ancient line of kings, yet He was refused admittance to His crown. Instead, the people rejected Him, their king, and allowed their God to hang from a tree, naked, shamed, defeated. Yet in this moment of loss, when the immorality and godless side of man triumphed it was also destroyed. God had become man and overcome the barrier, returning as the new-Solomon to rule over a glorious kingdom. Not all recognized the return of the kingdom of Heaven, for it did not consist of bricks and stones and gold, but of greater jewels. The New Temple was built by outsiders and the lowly, by those rejected by the world. In its construction, they used bricks of love and added decorations of service. The altar burns within each heart, sending a pleasing aroma to the Almighty. Alas, the kingdom is here.