Hard to believe, isn't it? Solomon literally wrote the book on wisdom, and yet he behaved so foolishly. How could anybody so wise let himself become so corrupted? How could one who worshiped God ever get lured into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8)?
The Bible offers two reasons.
He sacrificed on the "high places," like the Canaanites did.
Solomon's marriage to a nonbeliever bought national security for the price of a wedding—or so he thought.
Small compromises, sure. But they opened a crack in Solomon's heart that eventually divided it.
He should have seen it coming. Solomon's biblical poetry repeatedly revealed the wisdom of dealing with sin when it's small (Proverbs 17:14; 24:33-34; Ecclesiastes 10:18; Song of Solomon 2:15). In other words, he should have foreseen the danger of the little exceptions that would grow beyond what even Solomon could control.
If the Bible recorded our walk with God, what exceptions would it reveal?
Even wisdom can't think around the consequences of compromise. The crack that divided Solomon's heart would ultimately divide his nation, destroy God's temple, and deport the Hebrews from their land.
And it all began with small compromises ignored.
Wisdom will never be enough. We must add to it obedience.
Tell me what you think: How have you seen "small things" add up to big negatives—or big positives—in life? To leave a comment, just click here.