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Royalty and Ruin
longer opposed the sexcentered, revolting rites connected with the
worship of Chemosh and Ashtoreth. He mistook license for liberty.
He tried—but at what cost!—to unite light with darkness, good with
evil, purity with impurity, Christ with Belial.
Solomon let his unholy passions rule, and he became the tool
and slave of others. His character became effeminate. Atheistic
doubts replaced his faith in God. Unbelief weakened his principles
and degraded his life. The justice and generosity of his early reign
changed to despotism and tyranny. God can do little for people who
lose their sense of dependence on Him.
During these years of apostasy the enemy worked to confuse
the Israelites in regard to true and false worship. He deadened
their keen sense of God’s holy character. The Israelites transferred
their allegiance to the enemy of righteousness. It soon became
a common practice to intermarry with idol worshipers. People
accepted polygamy. In the lives of some, idolatry of the worst kind
replaced the pure religious service God had instituted.
God is fully able to keep us while we are
in
the world, but we
are not to be
of
the world. He watches over His children with a
care beyond measure, but He requires undivided loyalty. “No man
can serve two masters. ... You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
.
People today are no stronger than Solomon; they are just as
likely to yield to the influences that caused his downfall. God today
warns His children not to risk their eternal life by joining with the
world. “Come out from among them,” He pleads, “and be separate.
... Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be
[22]
a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the
Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:17, 18
.
None of Us Is Wiser Than Solomon
Throughout the ages, riches and honor have come with danger
to humility and spirituality. It is not the empty cup that we have
difficulty carrying; it is the cup full to the brim. Hard times may
cause sorrow, but prosperity is most dangerous to spiritual life. In
the valley of humiliation, where people depend on God to guide
their every step, there is comparative safety. But those who stand,