How Many Times Does He Have To Tell Us? Is Disobedient Your Middle Name?

The more I read God's Word the more I realize how much we really are like children. As I read through various books of the bible, specifically, "The Book of Joshua through The Book of 2 Kings." God repeatedly told leader's of Israelites, as well as "lay" Israelite, what they had to do in order to receive his blessings. "Clearly the center of God's desires encompassed obedience."

God also taught Israelite leader's how to lead his people, through prophesy, dreams and through elders. However, like little children they obeyed for a while and then they became rebellious and even mischevious. They went their own way and did as they wanted.

In the Book of Solomon, we see that Solomon, son of David, received God's blessings of wisdom, riches and success, just for the asking, in exchange for obedience. Yep, there were "covenants of obedience" established for each generation to honor. In essence, God wanted Solomon to walk the walk, in order to receive his blessings.

Now Solomon started off good. And because of that, under his rule, Israel experienced peace, prosperity and promise for many years. His wisdom, gift to discern hearts and his astute ability to recognizing the difference between right and wrong was paramont, in his feat to rule his people successfully. In addition, God gave him gifts he had not asked for, like riches and honor ...so that in his lifetime, he would have no one equal to him. Essentially, Solomon became the most powerful, richest and wisest man in the world. But, in order to retain, remain and enjoy these gifts from God, "he had to walk in the ways of the Lord."

And like today, even back then, "riches and blessings from God" were not revered as they should have been. Even grace and mercy was often taken for granted." However, in Solomon's case, he eventually turned his back on God, losing the Lord's favor. 

"Against God's commands, Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter,an Egyptian foreigner, who worshipped Pagan gods."

"Against God's commands, Solomon took on too many wives, many of them foreigners too. They were from nations where "the Lord told the Israelites not to intermarry with them"  because they would turn his heart after their gods.  Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. Solomon failed to follow the Lord completely as he had been commanded."

"To add flames to fire, Solomon built high places for detestable gods."

Thus the Lord became angry with Solomon, because he had forbidden Solomon to follow other Gods, but he did not listen.

"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 most certainly will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your subordinates.

How often today do we see similar scenarios involving church leaders, world leaders, politicians and every day people, even in ourselves. It seems that no matter how much we acquire it's never enough. There's  always that hunger for more. And that kinda' hunger can never be satisfied here on earth.

Solomon's fall was caused soley by disobediance. .

In absence of riches, have you been here before? Maybe even including riches, have you been here before?

And most importantly, if you can relate to Solomon's errors personally, have you had an opportunity to make it right with God?

Solomon Was Warned

Before David "Solomon's father" passed on, he told him to be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'  1 Kings 2; 1,4

So, through David, God was very clear and decisive in his instructions and expectations of Solomon. And Solomon understood. Yet, he disobeyed anyway! What a price to pay...

 Neecy