Just A Small Thing...

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the LORD and the wall around the city. [1 Kings 3.1] 

It is just a small thing, but for some reason, it was recorded in the Bible. Why?

In context, 1 Kings 3 does not specify whether Solomon's alliance with Pharaoh was good or evil, but such alliances are viewed as idolatrous offenses against God elsewhere in the Bible. God's demand for total trust in Him alone negates any need for such alliances - especially when they are with idolatrous nations like Egypt.

1 Kings 3.1 is easily overlooked because it is overshadowed by Solomon's most notable accomplishment before God in his request for wisdom. But, history cannot be changed... Even as the most wise man to ever live, Solomon did not stop establishing alliances and gaining foreign wives. It would appear that Solomon's wisdom, that would have justified every foreign alliance as practical, was his downfall. 1 Kings 3.1 is the opening statement of how that downfall started.

And, that is how idolatry works. It starts with a small indiscretion of not trusting God (often overshadowed by some great spiritual accomplishment) and grows from there. By the time Solomon had acquired hundreds of wives and concubines, many of them through foreign alliances, he had become so immersed in idolatry that he did not even recognize the difference.

This should sound familiar to the Church today because it is exactly what has happened to God's people. Trusting in the industries of man's own ideas (see Stern Warning From The Bible) has become so commonplace among "God's people" (with most defending this "way of man" by calling it "wisdom") that no one is decrying the gross idolatry it represents.

I am no one. But, it would appear I am in good company:

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)]

Father, Your Word could not be more clear on Your warnings against idolatry, the "way of man," as was Jesus. And yet, the Church today is unconcerned. Faith has been made so "abstract" that no one sees Jesus' demand to "give up your own way" (or, to deny himself) as anything more than a "nice suggestion" that requires man's practical wisdom to determine "what it means to him." May today's idols be identified and rejected by Your people. May those who are truly Yours see the literal interpretation of Your jealousy regarding idols. May Your people have this distinct testimony that "God is my source and supply in every area of my life!" May Your people reject every idol so they might trust ONLY in You! So be it.