Nothing Is Not The Answer

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD. In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the LORD his God, as his father, David, had been. Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the LORD’s sight; he refused to follow the LORD completely, as his father, David, had done. On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods. [1 Kings 11.1-8] 

Solomon's 700 wives of royal birth account for some of the women in his life that turned his heart away from God.

With only a little consideration of the Scriptures, it becomes obvious that marriages with foreign women in general was frequently the direct result of agreements with foreign nations. For example, Solomon did business with Hiram king of Tyre who was a Sidonian (1 Kings 5) - Sidon being one of the places noted above that some of Solomon's foreign wives were from. In other Bible references, Solomon did "trade" with several other nations. There can be little doubt that many (if not most) of these trade agreements involved marriages - 700 wives and 300 concubines had to come from somewhere!

So, what's the point?

The point is, idolatry lies dormant in the simplicity of "trade." If God's people want to be on alert for idols, the first place to be cautious of would be "trade." While "trade" is a necessary fact of life, it can also be a portal for idolatry as it sadly appears to have been for Solomon.

With this established, our "trade" begs to be considered - where does our money go? In all our money transactions, what "foreign wife" idea is attached to the deal?

We should understand that the Sidonian goddess Ashtoreth was a female deity associated with sexual sin. How many of the industries to which our money goes entices buyers (not us of course) with sex? In other Bible references to the goddess Ashtoreth, it specifically mentions images of Ashtoreth. If Ashtoreth was a goddess associated with sexual sin, what might those images have depicted? No doubt, "images of Ashtoreth" was early porn.

And, as Ashtoreth is often found Biblically in reference along with Molech, it should be understood there might indeed have been a practical association, a symbiosis, if you will, between the two as Molech is overwhelmingly associated with child sacrifice. No surprise there! Sexual sin and child sacrifice "fit together" perfectly (think, "abortion").

As long a "trade" pumps sex, abortions will necessarily have to continue. And, that is precisely what happened to Solomon. No doubt, Solomon did not set out to betray God, but everything else he did with "trade" and the "foreign wives" associated with trade led to sexual sin and child sacrifice. 

Solomon's story serves as a grave warning to us today. Where does our money go? Again, what "foreign wife" is included in the deal?

It is ludicrous for modern society to think idolatry is not alive and well in our midst. All the indicators are there, but, because the Church is so heavily involved in the "trade" of the world, it refuses to see the "foreign wives" that have been "married" that have subtly, but surely, led the Church into gross idolatry just like Solomon.

No, it's not an Old Testament thing either...

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. [2 Corinthians 6.17]

And, if this verse alone is not convincing enough, one only has to consider its context to see that it is specifically about idolatry:

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6.14-18]

 Jesus' words only become stingingly more apropos:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

What do we do then? To be sure, "nothing" is not the answer.

Father, may Your Word waken us from our idolatrous slumber. May our eyes see and may our ears hear the truth. May we, as Jesus did, confront our own ways by giving them up. May we, as Jesus did, confront death by taking up our own cross. May we be found following Jesus and not idols! So be it.

The Key To Understanding Song Of Solomon Is "Abandon"

This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other. [Song of Solomon 1.1]

I first referenced this verse in an article written in 2006 not long after I first began intentionally and methodically reading the Bible and writing something in response. That article was titled Erotic Writing and, I believe, definitely worth the read. That initial response was the beginning a journey.

After 17 years of intentionally and methodically reading the Bible and writing something in response, I wrote another article in 2023 specifically referencing Song of Solomon 1.1: All I Am Going To Say. Again, I believe this article, too, is worth the read specifically for its brevity and the prayer that concludes it. That prayer revealed a milestone in my relationship with God.

Then, in 2025, Song of Solomon 1.1 was again referenced in my article Wonderful Song?. In this article, it is obvious (particularly in my prayer) that I was experiencing a shift in thinking... 

It should be understood that by the year 2025 that a notable focus (revelation, understanding) on idolatry had become obvious in all my writing - a focus on idolatry that still prevails to this day in my daily responses. It is this focus on idolatry that leads me to what is said here today in 2026...

The two main characters of Song of Solomon, the young man and the young woman, reveal in shocking detail what a genuine relationship with God looks like. 

The titillatingly sexual references of Song of Solomon graphically (and effectively) convey the absolute 'abandon' of the young woman giving herself to the young man. Jesus Christ demanded no less abandon:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

The young man's enthrallment with the young woman clearly speaks of God's graphically unrestrained 'abandon' for mankind. Jesus described that relationship as well:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

God's 'ultimate abandon' of Himself to enter earth and to physically die on a cross for those He loves is undeniable. Remarkably, the following sentence is included in the Song of Solomon:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. [Song of Solomon 8.6, bold added]

The graphic nature of Song of Solomon quite effectively conveys just how serious (and jealous) God was from the beginning about our relationship with Him. 

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

God remains just as serious (and jealous) about our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ today. 

God is fully committed to His people. However, relationship with God does not exist unless His people are fully committed to Him. Grace does not apply where faith is not found (see Romans 4). Idolatry and adultery are the same thing. The Bible's message is clear, but man's selfish lust for 'forbidden fruit' (idolatry/adultery) clouds his vision of what the Bible says, and therefore of God.

The key to understanding Song of Solomon is "abandon."

Father, I never imagined just how much my thoughts on Song of Solomon would change over twenty years of committed methodical reading of Your Word... but they clearly have. In the (truly more wonderful than any other) text of Song of Solomon, I find today confirmation of my need to continually and completely abandon myself, giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus, as He abandoned Himself for me. May my words here help others to grow in You as I can see that I am growing in You. So be it.

Trust In The LORD

I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the LORD. [Proverbs 22.19] 

This verse speaks to me.

And you.

The Condition Of Ignorance

Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the LORD. [Proverbs 20.12] 

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18] 

And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.” [Isaiah 6.9-10] 

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’  [Matthew 13.11-15]

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19] 

The condition of ignorance of God's Word (Jesus) is idolatry. Idolatry is trusting anything other than, or in addition to, God. Idolatry is the foundation of all manner of sin.

The Bible has said this all along. But, in our gross ignorance of the Word (written and Living), we have failed to see it. Consequently, we have fallen victim to the idolatrous devices and systems of our own design, effectively rejecting the life-changing power of God with its Kingdom-defining miracles as confirmation.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.1-5]

Father, the Bible is clear: if we are ignorant of Your Written Word (the Bible) and the Living Word (Jesus, Whom the Bible is all about), we are blind and deaf captives of idolatry and the sin it promotes. May You witness a shift in history as true believers realize their current and obvious captivity to idols and not only give them up, but forsake them altogether distinguishing themselves from the world and its systems, as (the system of) Your favor rests upon them. So be it.

Unplanned Pregnancy?

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. [Proverbs 17.6] 

In the circumstances surrounding an unplanned pregnancy, there are, no doubt, countless people who are disappointed. While the parents of the child may indeed be experiencing their own fear and disappointment, other family members, friends, and church people may communicate disappointment through words, looks, or silence. An unplanned pregnancy has the potential for a LOT of disappointment.

However, there is one person who is not disappointed with an unplanned pregnancy... That person is the precious child conceived. While not a humanly discernable thought is present in the conjugation of egg and sperm at that moment of conception, there is an undeniable explosion of life and will to live that begins the instant that sperm is received by the egg - the presence of a brand new life!

The life that is created at the moment of conception is a unique combination of both the father's and the mother's will to live from deep within their separate bodies. In their sexual act, regardless the conscious circumstances of those parents, the new life formed represents those parents' combined will to live. Naturally, that tiny new human honors and adores its parents, not in conscious thought at first, but in its evident explosion (celebration) of life. That little explosion of life carries not one bit of judgement or disappointment toward its parents. That little explosion of life only celebrates what lies ahead - and all this before any conscious thought ever takes place!

Is it any wonder then, that without even knowing the circumstances of their conception, a child is inherently proud of his or her parents? A newborn's birth proudly screams, "I am alive because my parents live!"

For any parent who is or might be considering abortion as an option for an unplanned pregnancy, this verse from Proverbs presents a thought to be considered... parents are the pride of their children.

And, oh yeah, this only discusses the first part of the verse above! The "grandparent thing" is a whole other level!

Father in heaven, for all the "disappointments" that might accompany an unplanned pregnancy, may the "explosive life" of a new child reveal Your creative power and bring the optimistic hope of the child to the parents. So be it.

Who You Gonna' Believe?

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. [Proverbs 14.15] 

The world puts out a LOT of information. A LOT of people believe their lives are better for the world's advanced information and its industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology. There is a LOT of information being provided and a LOT of people who believe it. People's genuine belief in the world's information is confirmed by their participation in the industries it promotes.

In contrast, the Bible also puts out information for people to believe:

God's Word says He is the Provider.

Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” [Genesis 22.14]

God's Word says He is the Protector.

Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” [Genesis 15.1]

God's Word says He is the Healer.

He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.” [Exodus 15.26]

God's Word says He is the Comforter.

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? [Isaiah 51.12]

Even though the Bible teaches that God is everything the world's industries claim to be, simple people (simpletons) believe everything they are told by the world evidenced by their participation in its industries (where their steps - actions - take them) while only giving the Bible "abstract religious consideration" (with no effect on their steps - actions - whatsoever). This accounts for most people on the earth today (sadly, in the Church as well).

However, prudent people carefully consider their steps. Prudent people do not believe everything the world tells them but instead, by their actions (steps), prove that they believe God's Word. Few people actually believe this way and so it is no surprise that Jesus (God's Living Word) would say:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Every industry the world and its information calls us to trust in and rely on is an idol. Naturally, the world's idols challenge God's Word today just they always have:

Then the Assyrian king’s chief of staff told them to give this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident? [Isaiah 36.4]

As the story referenced above reveals, Hezekiah did not believe what he was told by the Assyrians but prudently and carefully considered his steps - his answer was evident in his actions: he trusted God ALONE. 

Do we believe everything we are told?

Debt says, "you need me" but God says, "I am your Provider."

Insurance says, "you need me" but God says, "I am your Protector."

Medicine says, "you need me" but God says, "I am your Healer."

Technology says, "you need me" but God says, "I am your Comforter."

Who you gonna' believe? Our actions (steps) reveal the truth!

Father, Your Word again challenges us to undivided faith in You ALONE. Jesus made it clear just how serious the matter of our "steps" - the way we choose - is. Your Word is true and every man a liar. May we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus! So be it.

Talk About Disgraceful!

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. [Proverbs 11.2] 

Think about it... Consider all of man's global accomplishments in the areas of finance, insurance, medicine and technology! 

Who could call these accomplishments disgraceful compared to God's promises?

God.

God's Word is clear: He is our Provider. He is our Protector. He is our Healer. He is our Comforter.

The wisdom of God is manifested in the powerful display of God's miraculous provisions without the least input of man.

The wisdom of man is manifested in expensive industries heavily dependent upon man's input and ingenuity.

The industries of man become a snare and a trap to him in oppressive interest payments, premiums, prescriptions, and obsolescence.

And yet, man proudly and even vehemently defends his insatiable industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology - and, even worse, religiously tries to credit God for them. Talk about disgraceful!

Father, may we come to the humble conclusion that all our accomplishments are nothing more than idols that we proudly justify. So be it.