Solomon Frustrated God

Synopsis     1Kings 11:1-10     4/24/2019 

King Solomon loved many foreign women. All combined, he had a thousand wives and concubines. Many, if not most, of these were foreign women who worshiped foreign gods. 

And when Solomon grew old, the influence of his wives also grew. He allowed his wives and concubines to worship foreign gods in Israel. What’s more, he even joined in the worship. And, in certain cases, he went so far as to build altars to the foreign gods. 

This displeased the Lord, the God of Israel. 

Solomon Frustrated God 

So, God had a project. He was working to accomplish something in Israel. He intended that Israel would bring the entire world to an awareness of their Creator. And God empowered Solomon in remarkable ways to achieve this purpose.

But Solomon failed. Despite all the extraordinary blessings and gifts, Solomon lost sight of the ultimate value. Accordingly, he forgot his purpose.

Yet, God still used Solomon to achieve His purpose.

Frustrated God 

God has a purpose in Creation. He is trying to accomplish something. And, in the end, He will prevail.

I am part of His creation. And I was created with freedom of choice. I can agree with God’s purpose and harmonize with His work. Or, I can resist His efforts and frustrate His purpose. 

Still, He’s God. He made me as I am. And He knew before He created me that I might use my freedom to frustrate His purposes. 

And so, a paradox. Even my efforts to selfishly frustrate God’s purpose in creation, only advances His purpose. It might even be said that a certain resistance is necessary in order to fully demonstrate both His wisdom and His love. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s good that I should selfishly work against God. My sin is neither good or necessary. And, it’s not good for the world.

Yet I sin. And yet, I am forgiven.

“Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for an ignoble one?” Rom 9:21