Jun 22 – 1 Kings 9:10-28, 1 Kings 10, 1 Kings 11:1-13 Acts 15:1-21 Psalm 77:1-9

1 Kings 11:1-3

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.

We said this with David and we say it again: Everything was going so well… but then…

The wisest man in the world still wandered. What a tragedy.

It started with disobedience, as wandering often does. God had said not to marry people form these nations and yet he did anyway. God even said why – they will turn their hearts away after their gods.

And guess what? That’s exactly what happened.

Much as we may not understand, the things God tells us not to do – He does so with good reason. Even in terms of who we should marry. 2 Cor 6:14 says “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” – but how many times have believers decided it doesn’t apply to them, after all they know best? And then… they start to wander.

God doesn’t gives us rules for the sake of it, but for our benefit. Yet even the wisest man who ever lived messed this up.

Small wonder, we do too.

Don’t let your heart be turned to other things, just because of the people you are surrounded by. Keep focused on God. Don’t make the mistake Solomon made.

Also… 700 wives and 300 concubines!!! What on earth was he thinking? I wonder if he went grey at a young age?

Acts 15:19-20

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

So there’s a discussion in the church about what to do with all these gentile converts? Do they keep to the law? Do they need circumsicion?

And James is inspired to say this.

He brings it down to 2 basic principles. (Incidentally this doesn’t mean the moral law or the 10 commandments don’t apply – they are talking about the ritual and cultural law – the rest of the New Testament is pretty clear about what is sin and what isn’t.)

2 Basic principles:

Idolatry and Sex.

Two things that there was no room for negotiation in.

Ironic isn’t it that these are the 2 things that Christianity is most attacked for today and also backs down the most on.

Yes, it’s unpopular to say that EVERY OTHER GOD is false and therefore a work of the enemy. Yes it’s unpopular to say God has clearly designed limits for sex and that’s between a married couple.

But right from the start of the church, these two things have stood. We cannot bend on them.

Oh yes, and also black pudding.