Brains Are Not Enough
Solomon's Wives
1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech [a] the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.
9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command. 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. 12 Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
Bee's Thoughts:
The above is a sad story and history repeats itself. Though Solomon is the wises man in history, yet he fell when he allowed his heart to rule his head and disobeyed God.
I have known of many Christians who too chose to marry non-Christians, against biblical teaching of "not to be unequally yoke with unbelievers". The common excuse given is that he/she will be able to convert his/her spouse into a Christian after marriage. However, statistic shows otherwise.
God's commands are perfect for us and are to save us from miseries. But when we don't obey them, we have to bear the consequences. Couples from inter-religious marriages always find themselves in a life time of troubles, which spills into their children's generation too.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder that I should allow my heart to rule me but to let Your words do so. Let me not compromse with Your standard and tp always keep my heart pure for You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Tommy's Thoughts:
Knowing and believing in God’s Word is one thing; following and taking them seriously is another. Sometimes, we even know clearly both God’s commands are for our own good and that disobeying them will inevitably lead us with negative consequences.
Like Solomon, the wisest man ever lived; we too have some weak spots. There are where temptation usually strikes, pushing us to compromise or indulge in things God ask us not to. We need to go to God daily for His strength, wisdom and grace to help us be aware and resist any wrongful desires or pressure to compromise what He commanded.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know exactly all my strengths and weaknesses, and Your commands are always for my own good. Forgive me for turning a deaf ear to Your instructions to heed certain things, compromising and letting those “little” sins go unchallenged. Teach me to always confess them to You and asking You for strength and mercy to resist them and follow Your Word and apply it in my daily activities and decisions. Thank You and I ask all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.
