Who’s in your inner circle?
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Joanna Moss:
What did I like about today’s passage?
Whilst reading today’s chapters, I found it hard to reconcile the Solomon from chapters 1-10, to the one in chapter 11. Here was a man who had it all – renowned for his wisdom and knowledge, wealthy beyond anything Israel had experienced before, and in possession of great power and influence. Yet in chapter 11, he is ignoring God’s direct warnings, going against God’s laws, and instead pursing the gods of his many, many, (1000? Seriously?!) wives. A decision which would lead to the division and desolation of the nation of Israel.
For me, this is a reminder that knowledge and wisdom, even if God-given are not sufficient to keep me close to God. As I work in academic research, I find I am most often in a culture where knowledge is prized and making a big, ground-breaking discovery is the dream. Yet, I cannot let this mindset spill over into my faith life. Like Solomon, we can be wise and able to discern God’s will, but if we choose in our hearts not to follow it, then what is the point?
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
It showed me that God really cares about who we are in relationship with, whether that’s as a marriage or partnership or as friends.
God’s insistence that Israelite kings should only marry woman from their own country may seem small minded by today’s standards, but for that time it held an important purpose. We know that God places great value on relationship and the significance that comes with bringing two families together in marriage. In Solomon’s case that meant bringing multiple religions together in one family, under one roof as each wife from a foreign land brought their own god into the marriage. As Solomon shared his life with these women he was influenced by their beliefs and their idols and in the end, he starts to worship these gods too.
Whoever we choose to share our lives with will influence the direction our lives take and how close we stay to God. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should dump any friends who aren’t Christians or who have differing views to us. But I think it’s important to consider who our closest people are and how we can be influencing and encouraging each other’s faith.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I know that at times, like Solomon, I can be stubborn and resistant to God and to doing what He tells me is best for my life. Sometimes, I just want to do what I want, even if I know it is not the best thing for me or my relationship with God. Which tells me a lot about my heart. I want to be better at trusting God and the purposes of His word. Just as God had a reason for insisting that Israelite kings should only marry Israelite woman, His laws and instructions have a purpose and benefit for me now, even if I can’t see them right now.
Who am I going to share this with?
Two of my close friends, one of whom is also a PhD student. As we are at similar life stages and in similar work environments, I want to be able to explore with them the parts of our lives where we are struggling to follow God’s will and direction and why this might be.