My daily readings from the Old Testament are about to conclude their coverage of King Solomon. I don't remember writing about him, his accomplishments, his wisdom, and his work at building the Temple which his father (David) was not allowed to build.
Part of the baggage which comes with wealth and power is temptations. As Solomon became more well known and as his might expanded, neighboring kingdoms wanted to gain his favor. One way this happened was for the King from that neighboring nation to arrange a marriage between a daughter and the King he wished to befriend. It is written in I Kings 11 that Solomon had seven hundred wives.
As Solomon grew old, he began to give in to the ways of these wives. Having come from other cultures and other religions, they desired a place where they could worship in the traditions of their youth. Solomon built temples to other gods and he paid for the sacrifices which occurred there. As you could imagine, this displeased God.
How did Solomon change so dramatically?
Those with whom we live our lives affect the way we see life and the kind of life we live. Solomon was wise enough to rule over a great people, but seems not to have bee wise enough to have guarded against something as common as the influence of ones acquaintances.
Obviously, the main point to this morning's sharing is to encourage you to look at the persons with whom you spend your time. Are they strengthening you in your resolve to follow the ways of God? Are they a good influence in your faith journey? Is there any reason to worry that they might be leading you away from your devotion to God?
Secondly, the temptations which often do us in are the ones which it is easiest for others to see but to which we remain blind. I cannot imagine the wisdom and dedication it takes to rule over a great nation; but I am able to see that those who surround a person will eventually affect that person. I have the knowledge to avoid Solomon's downfall, while I would never even approach his wisdom.
Solomon did great things for the nation of Israel. He built the Temple which Jesus would visit. He gave Israel "glory days" to which they could forever look back. But he overlooked the most basic of instructions, given by every parent to ever child - "Select your friends well."
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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