2 Chronicles 8:11
‘Then Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house which he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.”’
Solomon was quite blessed. When David handed the kingdom to him, it was at a great place. Then God gave him wisdom to rule. He did great up until this point. He took a foreign wife. However, he justified it to a point. He admits the arrangement isn’t holy, so he builds her a house.
Here is the rule that God gave, “Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them: you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, and they will serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you”, (Deuteronomy 7:3,4). God warned that they would turn their hearts from following Him, if they intermarried with foreigners.
What Solomon did was a common practice of the day. It was a way that nations formed alliances with other nations. Europe did that as well. Prior to the great wars, it was a common practice for centuries, I believe. Most were christian nations, so it was different.
Solomon may have done it thinking he wouldn’t spend much time with her. It would be in form only. However, this first time made way for him to do it again and again. To where he had a thousand wives and concubines.
I Kings 11:4 says, “For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.” He may have been practical at the start, but in time his heart was turned from God. Solomon’s son continued in an unwise way and the kingdom split. The consequences came then. Sad.
We’ve heard the analogy that if a ship or plane is off by one degree, the craft finds itself off course over the long haul. Just a little off. So, we can be a little off. It might not be noticeable at present, but just as the consequences came with Solomon, so they would come with us.
I believe God convicts us of sin that important. None of us is perfect and will never be on earth. God brings up that which He wants to work on. We rarely have any idea where He will focus next. He works life’s circumstances. It’s a mark of His brilliance. He does this with everyone.
It’s up to us to listen. If we do, then goodness and blessing comes. Maturity comes also. Closeness to God as well. Psalm 23 becomes our experience: we shall not want, He makes us lie down in green pastures, He leads us besides the still waters, He restores our souls, He guides our paths, when we walk through dark valleys, He’s with us, He honors us to others, and goodness and mercy follows us all our days.
Walking with Christ is the best ever. We have a Father who is so amazing, we have a Holy Spirit who is our counselor, He guides us, He fill our hearts, His presence is near and felt, He blesses our children and He will one day bring us Home to heaven.
If we don’t listen, but stay stagnant, then just as food spoils, so do we. If it’s a big sin, then we may not be a christian. We must allow Jesus to be lord. If we don’t then that’s a problem. If just a point of disobedience, then we may become a prodigal. Some are extreme prodigals, others not.
Isaiah 65:2 says, “All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations.” God is constantly trying to reach everyone. It’s up to them to listen. He will tweak circumstances to get our attention. He is good and patient. It takes some a lifetime.
The normal christian walk has things that come up. We give them to Him. This is usually fine. Other times it’s more challenging. A few weeks ago I had trouble with unforgiveness. The feelings kept bouncing back. I had to keep coming back to the cross and ask for help. In that case I think it was the devil trying to make me feel condemned. It finally dissipated.
Part of the christian life is giving things to God. Matthew 16:24 says, ‘Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ Doing this keeps us dependent on God and fresh. We ask Him for help and He gives it. It’s wonderful.
Lord, thank You for pointing out these issues. You are so loving and helpful. Assist us when we struggle with the process of giving it up. Thank You, Lord.