God’s ways are not our ways. . . .

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.” And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. (1 Kings 11:9–14)

Trials are part of life. Some of them are allowed to test my faith and build it, making me more mature:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

In contrast, some trials are God's way of chastening me for errors in my thinking that are rooted in selfishness. Both are important activities of God as He uses everything for my good, that I might be more like Jesus.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

Those trials to correct are almost always a surprise. I didn’t realize that I was wrong (stubborn and stupid?) but this was not the case for Solomon. He was warned about idolatry and did it anyway. This meant severe chastening from an enemy that had previously escaped death when David and his army of men destroyed the people of Edom.

In some ways, this Edom/Israel is a centuries-old conflict. Edom is where Esau lived, the twin of Isaac who had little interest in God or godliness. For generations, the descendants of these two men have been in conflict. If they are seen as types, they would point to the Christian battle between flesh and Spirit, a war often at the root of struggles in my life and a war often involving idols — or to put it bluntly, a war between me, myself and I and the Spirit of God. The only way to win it is by yielding my I wants to the will of God. 

Solomon started out by yielding to God, but was turned aside by idols. Ironically, Hadad was also the name of an idol, and of several kings of Edom. God was using this enemy to chasten this ‘wise’ king. Could it be that a trial to rebuke me is somehow connected to the reason I need the rebuke?

Jesus, Your wisdom and understanding always seem to use the events of life to match up and speak to my needs, even to use as shaping and correcting me. I am amazed at You, and even rejoice that You can use enemies to glorify Yourself in the lives of Your children. I’m glad that nothing is impossible for You.

Keep away from idols…

There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, “The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the Lord.” And he restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, “I dedicate the silver to the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a carved image and a metal image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.” So when he restored the money to his mother, his mother took 200 pieces of silver and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into a carved image and a metal image. And it was in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:1–6)

This one stumped me until I read the last line and the consequences. So far, most of the “therefore” passages have been consequences that had some virtue in them, but not this one. It reminded me of a radio preacher who told someone that she could choose whatever she wanted but she could not choose the consequences.

Micah later took in a traveller who claimed to be a “Levite” but may not have been. Eventually Micah paid him to be his priest, thinking that the Lord would prosper him because he had is own priest. In the above passage, he also had stolen money from his mother, paid it back, and she used part of it to make idols. He had a shrine and ordained one of his sons to be his priest. The Word of God describes all this as “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Our world still has that happening. We watch leaders making moves that seem right to them and appalling to their people. Or the people go along with it because “it seems right” only to later moan because of the results.

This OT book is describing modern times, both politically and spiritually. There are hundreds, even thousands of belief systems and according to the Word of God, all but one of them is “doing what is right in their own eyes.” Even those who claim to be Christian think that salvation is a matter of doing “good works” and even having their own priests.” I talked with a cult member this week who boasts of numbers and having the right heart, yet his Savior is his organization and not Jesus. Did he ever hear Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”? (John 14:6)

The world is full of idols, not always carved or made of metal. Some show up in what motivates life:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

John ended this letter with warnings to test the spirits and finished with these words: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

Jesus, we got up early to watch a sporting event involving our country, but I’ve no intention of making an idol out of this or anything but You. I may miss the first part of the game, but spending time with You means being an overcomer, a winner. I shudder at stealing money from a family member, or giving it back so they could make idols, or considering anyone my priest but You. Yet I know these dangers and thank You for the saving power to say no to such worship. Thank You for loving me into Your kingdom.

His idol was silver . . .

 

Depending on the employment and where the work is done, a month’s salary can range from minimum wage to much higher. The average wage in the city where I live is $5000 per month, with entry levels lower and experienced workers making at least $10,000 per month.

Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. That may not seem a huge amount, but for that time it was about four months wages, and a great deal of money indeed. Interesting that a simple Internet search shows the price of a hit man is about the same amount.

What is God saying to me with this information? It isn’t about the love of money. I might feel differently if I didn’t have any, but probably not. Way back more than fifty years ago, I was very poor when God taught me to trust Him regarding my finances. I had a bill for $100 and could barely buy groceries, never mind come up with the funds to pay it. I prayed. Then an order for a dog portrait came in the mail from someone I had never met. She sent me $105 in advance — enough to pay that bill and buy a canvas to paint a picture on of her dog.

I’ve never felt a need to do anything other than honest work and trusting God to take care of my finances. For this reason, greed for money has not been a problem for me. I love the saying, “Some people are so poor; all they have is money.”

However, I see what greed does for others. Some become workaholics or thieves. Some abandon care of their families trying to get rich. Some gamble for the same reason. On an emotional level, greed comes with stress, fatigue, worry, depression, and despair. It sidetracks the soul from trusting God to making an idol that can ruin their lives, even to making a Judas out of them.

Imagine walking with Jesus for three years and putting money ahead of His Messiah’s life. But that thought stops me. It may not be money, but what do I prioritize? What is more important to me than honoring and obeying God?

There are so many things that clamor for attention and devotion: jobs, kids, spouses, hobbies—the demands and distractions of life. Putting God first is the first Commandment:

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God . . . . (Deuteronomy 5:8–9)

The list could be long. I could ‘worship’ my feelings if I allow them to control me. Or my family, or my church, or friends, or human ‘wisdom’ instead of trusting God, but He says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5–7)

Faith in Christ is a gift. Gifts are never meant to be hidden on a shelf or as Jesus said, put under a bushel. Fear of rejection could be an idol that takes precedence over telling others about Him.

I’m also to honor Him with my wealth, appreciate His discipline, and seek His wisdom. To live any other way means trusting something other than Him and that is as much idolatry and greed as seeking gold and silver rather than God. Of all the folly ascribed to Judas, his root problem was not giving Jesus first place in his heart.

PRAY: The ability to put You first, Jesus, is learned. From infancy, I bawled to get my way. As legitimate as eating, drinking, and being dry might be, I was not thinking about You. How much of my day is involved in doing things and talking about personal interests and selfish stuff without You being my priority? Yet You are so patient. You called Judas “friend” yet also said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14) You endured the pain of betrayal and never stopped loving this one who did far worse than mere disobedience. I’m humbled that my sin does not ruin or block Your incredible love. How could I every want anything more than You? But at times, I have . . . and You always forgive and restore me. Thank You.

THOTS: Greg Beale wrote “We Become What We Worship” and says: “What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” How can my focus change my life?