For the Sake of God’s Choosing

Today's passage shows, through the life of King Solomon, how God's choosing and human choices flow together. Solomon had received God's special love and wisdom from birth, but in his later years he fell into idolatry through foreign women and committed a grave error. God resolved not to tolerate his apostasy, yet for the sake of his covenant with David and for Jerusalem, he did not take the kingdom away entirely but left one tribe. This shows that human failure and corruption cannot nullify God's plan and covenant.

Through the laws for the king that Solomon failed to keep, the sermon points out how he came to rely on the world's power and pride. He broke the command not to multiply horses and built up his military strength, and he married foreign women and his heart was led astray. He also piled up wealth and did not meditate on the Law, neglecting his relationship with God. These sins were intertwined and in the end led to the grave mistake of apostasy, which warns how dangerous it is to allow small sins with a complacent heart.

Despite Solomon's failure, God did not abandon him to the very end, and carried on his work of salvation. This means that God's faithfulness is greater than human unfaithfulness. We must remember that having been saved does not give us permission to live as we please. Rather, to live as God's children, we must fight a spiritual battle to bring our lives into line with God's word. Can we live a life that loves and relies on God alone, whatever the currents of the world?