Who to Look For

I’m sure you are familiar with King Solomon. He was given the opportunity by God to ask for anything he wanted, and he asked for wisdom to rule God’s people well. God was so impressed with this that He did make him the wisest person in the world and also gave him riches and fame on top of that. Kings and queens from all over came just to witness his wisdom for themselves. The queen of Sheba had heard of his fame and his great love for the Lord, so she had to come experience all that she had heard.

In 1 Kings 10, she says, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!”

I don’t think that words or our imaginations could truly capture how blessed Solomon was. He was a wise, generous ruler who lived in more extreme wealth than I have ever laid my eyes on. Rulers of the age stood in awe of him and all that he had, and it all stemmed back to his great love of the Lord and his relationship with Him. Such an example to us in so many ways, but have you ever heard how Solomon’s life was in the end?

The Lord has really ever focused on two races of people - The race of those that belong to Him and a race of those who have rejected Him. He has always let His people know that marrying anyone from the race of those who have rejected Him is off limits. He knows how this can separate a family and turn a person’s heart away from Him.

In Nehemiah, he is relaying how some of God’s people have rejected the Lord’s commands and are doing whatever they see fit without regard for what the Lord has commanded. He reminds us about Solomon, and what became of him:

Nehemiah 13:26-27

Did not Solomon king of Israel act treacherously against God and miss the mark on account of such women? Among many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; yet strange women even caused him to sin [when he was old he turned treacherously away from the Lord to other gods, and God rent his kingdom from him]. Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying strange (heathen) women?

This passage breaks my heart. When you see how the Lord blessed Solomon and Solomon’s love for the Lord, I never would have thought he would turn away from the Lord. But, it says that he even served others gods and God rent his kingdom from him. How could someone so awesome end up so pathetic? The scripture says that it was all because he married women who did not serve his God and caused him to fall into sin.

Do you get this? Solomon was the wisest person in the world! His excessive wisdom was placed in him directly by God Himself! If women that did not serve his God could turn him away from the Lord, how much more vulnerable are you and I?

This is a principle that we need to teach our children from the time they are toddlers, to the time they are in grade school, to the time they are teenagers, to the time they are adults! God has an awesome plan for their family and an awesome plan for their marriage. To experience the marriage and family God intended for them, they need to know that we only date and marry someone that loves the Lord and Jesus with all of their heart. Not just goes to church or believes in God – but that loves and serves God with all of their heart.

I show my children the story of Sampson and Solomon and other teachings in scripture from the time they are young and continue to do so regularly. I reiterate the same message God has been speaking to his people for thousands of years – do not be unequally yoked with a non-believer. When my son or daughter talks about an interest in someone of the opposite sex, my first question should be: Can you tell that they are in love with Jesus? If they can’t answer that, then that person is no longer an option to date.

God, thank You so much for the wisdom found in Your Word. Thank You for giving us examples like Solomon. He was so wise, but allowed his heart to be turned away from You in the end by heathen women. Please help my family heed Your wisdom. Please help us place importance on a potential spouse’s love for You, instead of their looks, athletic ability, or their bank account. Thank You for Your grace that leads me with wisdom as I teach Your children this.

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