Pastor John,
Beth and I were talking about kings, David and, in particular, Solomon, and the wisdom and love of God for man in his instructions to His children on marriage.
God told Solomon and all the nation of Israel not to intermarry because God had created marriage to join two hearts into one. It isn’t an option for them to become one; it is God’s creation and what marriage is.
So, it wasn’t because Solomon was evil that he turned to the gods of his foreign wives, but rather the result of what marriage is: the meshing or unifying of two hearts into one. Solomon had no choice but to become a man who would serve other gods because he didn’t guard his heart from those who would behave that way.
I think it is like pouring ink into water. It becomes one color, a different color. There is no stopping that union once the two are joined. And likewise, we have no control over the one heart we will become when we marry, but we have full control over the heart we join ourselves to. That is glorious. It is love and wisdom from God. He has told us how to do it, how to be happy.
So, the purest of hearts, if it marries a dissimilar heart, will become like that heart, because that is marriage: two becoming one.
Beth said it made her feel more love and mercy toward Solomon and any of God’s people who end up like him. I agree. I think we both feel more love and pity for Solomon, who started out so well.
Years ago.
I watched a movie years ago, a fictional take on a tragedy that occurred long ago in a different country. It troubled my spirit as I watch – I felt it – and I felt to turn it off. I didn’t, however, because I was so engrossed in the story that I wanted to see how it would end. When I went to bed that evening, as I was drifting off, I saw horrific images in my mind, unrelated to what I saw in the movie. Still awake but nearing sleep, I heard my heart cry out, “Jesus, I don’t want to see this!” The Spirit spoke back to me and said, “You don’t have control over that; you only have control over keeping the door shut. Once you open the door, you don’t know what goes in.”
Almost brings me to tears, thinking about His goodness and watchful eye over our hearts. Praise Him (and bless Him!), He is right and good.
P.S.
Beth said I missed something we had talked about, and that is, “Marriage is marriage for better or for worse.”
God meant it for good, but the union or “marriage” of hearts occurs even when it is bad.
Men and women recite vows in marriage, stating the union is “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.” That applies spiritually as much or more so than physically.
Jerry
==========
Excellent point, Jerry. We have no say-so in the result of our choices; that is God’s part. He alone is Judge. We only have control over our choices. And thank God for that!
Throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Solomon was pleading with his children to make wise choices – and then, as he got older, he himself did not. And the result, that is, the judgment for his choices, was up to God alone.
Pastor John