“Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David,
except that he offered sacrifices in high places.”

Vs. 15

“Be very careful, then, how you live -
not as unwise but as wise.”

Solomon showed his love for the Lord, EXCEPT. I want to focus in the word EXCEPT. Exceptions are part of every aspect of life. I comes before E except after C. Right turns are permitted on red EXCEPT when there is a sign saying otherwise. Then there are those people who think they are the exception. They think the sign express line 10 items or less doesn’t pertain to them. The teenager who thinks their parent’s rules were made for their siblings to obey. Let’s face it we have thought at some time in our life we have all thought we were the exception to the rule.

Solomon was no different. It is very clear that Solomon loved God. He expressed this love by walking according to the statutes of his father David. Specifically the commandments as well as the statutes for daily living concerning family responsibilities, sexual conduct, relationships, worldliness and vows found in the book of Leviticus. Solomon loved the Lord…

EXCEPT that he offered sacrifices in high places.”

Solomon sounds like the rich young man who after listening to Jesus list the commandments said, “I have kept all them.” Jesus responded by inviting him to come with him, but before he did he would have to go sell everything he had and give it to the poor. The rich young man was not able to do that.

Jesus request may seem to be a bit over the top but what Jesus is doing is pointing out a commandment that was the exception. The rich young man professed to obey the commandment, “Thou shall have no other God’s before me.” Yet in truth his wealth and his possessions had a greater place in his heart than God. This wealth was his exception. Solomon’s exception was offering sacrifices in high places.

In light of the rich young man’s exception, Solomon’s exception, offering sacrifices in high places seems trivial. What’s the big deal? It is not as though he is offering sacrifices to some pagan god or idol.

It may not sound like a big deal to you and me BUT what he is doing is against the will of God. Deuteronomy 12:13, 14 reads,

“Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings
anywhere you please.
Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose
in one of your tribes,
and there observe everything I command you.”

The reason God was such a stickler was that God wanted to prevent pagan practices to creep into worship. God’s restriction was meant to ensure purity of worship. While offering sacrifices to God in high places may not seem like a big deal it resulted in the defamation of worship and the inclusion of paganism into the life and worship of the Israelites.

This is why we need to adhere to God’s advice that comes through Paul.

“Be very careful, then, how you live -
not as unwise but as wise.”

Paul’s advice is similar to the advice I would give Adam or Greg when they were taking the car and going out for the night, “Be careful.” One might question the need for Paul or any parent to say, “Be careful.” Yet it has been known to happen that people often choose to do the unwise thing. They get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol. They get talked into doing something they would not have if it wasn’t for peer pressure. Unfortunately all too often we ignore our parent’s warning or advice to “Be Careful.” I fear this is true with regards to Paul’s warning. His words have lost its sense of urgency.

I fear that the majority of people today have been lulled to sleep with regards to the importance of believing in Jesus Christ and being prepared for His return. Yet what was true then is true now “the days are evil.” The evidence is everywhere. It is in world conflicts. It is in violent crimes. It is in addictive behavior. It is the decline of high standards. It is in the post modern thinking that advocates that it doesn’t matter what you believe in as along as you believe in something. Or that we are all worshiping the same God. Or that a person should be free to do and act however he or she chooses today as long as they aren’t hurting anyone.

How much longer will we close our eyes to civilization’s blatant ignorance of God’s Word? How much longer will we continue to confuse tolerance with approval? How much longer will we ignore Paul’s urgent appeal,

“Do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord’s will is?”

How much longer will we continue to “get drunk on wine, which lead to debauchery?” How much longer will we get drunk on false teachings, false ideals, false values, and false philosophies? Like getting drunk of wine they also lead to debauchery. In case you were wondering the synonyms for debauchery are wickedness, sin, depravity, corruption, dishonesty, and immorality.

The alternative is “be filled with the Spirit.” “Being filled with Spirit” produces lasting joy as opposed to the temporary high of alcohol or drugs. Being filled with the Spirit enables you to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It enables you to sing and make music in your heart. It enables you to give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It enables you to thank God for the strength He is building in you through life’s difficult experiences and moments. It enables you to be sure that God’s perfect love will see you through. It enables you to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. It enables you to get rid of your exceptions with regards to loving God and following His statutes.

“Be very careful, then, how you live -
not as unwise but as wise.
Do not get drunk on wine,
which lead to debauchery;
instead be filled with the Spirit.”

Don’t think for a minute that you are the exception to this truth of scripture. Such thinking will have severe consequence. Heed Paul’s warning. Identify what attitude or behavior is your exception with regards to loving God completely. Trust the Holy Spirit to rid your life or your exceptions and you will find the exceptional joy and love of God.