“For Shlomo followed ‘Ashtoret the goddess of the Tzidoni and Milkom the abomination of the ‘Amoni.”– 1 Kings 11:5
I wanna share a quote that comes from a Jewish commentary on 1st Kings:
“This chapter criticizes him (Solomon) sharply, saying that toward the end of his life his many wives caused him to go astray, even so far as to follow idols. That very verse implies clearly that Solomon was NOT literally an idolater, because it goes on to state that his failing was that his heart was not AS wholesome with Hashem as that of his father David, not that he actually worshipped idols…..”
This comes from the Rabbinic Artscroll series on the prophets.
Now, as much as I respect the Rabbis and their scholarship, there are times when I gotta call a spade a spade.
I mean take a good look at what it says in that quote above.
They are clearly asserting that Scripture affirms that Solomon was NOT an idolator.
Are you freakin’ kidding me, man?
This is in direct contradiction to verse 5 (copied above) that says Solomon worshipped Ashtoreth and Molech.
It doesn’t matter which Bible translation you go to.
It doesn’t matter if you go to the original Hebrew.
Actually, going to the original Hebrew will make things worse.
The bottom line is that Solomon committed idolatry big time!
Yet the rabbis deny this.
They argue that there’s a huge difference between harboring idolatrous intentions in one’s heart and actually committing the act.
What one thinks is NOT equivalent to what one does.
However, I think that argument is irrelevant in this case.
The Bible CLEARLY shows that not only did Solomon bow down and worship false deities…
He even ordered altars to be built for them.
I would say the latter is worse than the former in this case.
Because it welcomes idolatry into the whole nation of Israel.
We also shouldn’t overlook the great honor the Lord showed Solomon by appearing to him in a dream twice.
This is a privilege even David never experienced.
Think about what I’m saying here.
The Lord appeared to Solomon twice and personally spoke withhim.
Yet despite this, Solomon still fell into idolatry.
This kind of reminds me of that verse from Hebrews where it says:
“For if we go on sinning deliberately
after receiving the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…”
-Hebrews 10:26
Now if there be any Christians reading this, don’t be getting on your high horse with glee about what I pointed out here.
Why?
Because institutional Christianity has done much worse when it comes to anti-Semitic Scripture-twisting.
I’m talking about their ridiculous“the-law-has-been-done-away-with” theology, and the abominable trinity doctrine.
Alrighty, let’s switch over to the takeaway.
I dunno if you realized it.
But this post touches on a key difference between Gentile Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism.
It has often been said that Christianity is the “religion of the creed.”
Whereas Judaism is the “religion of the deed.”
For Judaism, what one believes is less important than taking action.
I would say that is the more correct Scriptural perspective.
Even the SHEMA means to listen AND obey, not just listen, contrary to popular misunderstanding.
That’s why Orthodox Judaism has a ton of physical rituals and behaviors built into their worship services.
It’s because ACTION takes precedence over sitting on a couch smoking marijuana and chomping on Cheetos while thinking about doing good deeds.
Ya feel me here?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“But be ye doers of the word,
and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.”
-James 1:22
“Yea rather,
blessed are they that
hear the word of God,
and keep it.”
-Luke 11:28
“For not the hearers of
the law are just before God,
but the doers of the law
shall be justified.”
-Romans 2:13
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