Ok on to the next stop on our grand Israel tour......We visited a place that I was excited to see....the site where King Solomon had his stables. The place where his many horses lived, and where his chariots were stored.
For you Bible scholars, you will remember that Israel's ancient kings were not to have a store of horses and chariots. They could have some, but not many. In those days, horses and chariots were a sign of great wealth, and of military power, and strength. God commanding them to not have horses and chariots was for a sign to them; and that was that God alone would be the one to protect his people, and that He would be their strength in times of trouble, and in times of battle be the One who brought victory, not the king or his army! It was to be a sign to the king of trust and of faith in God alone.
I know, being excited to see a place of disobedience sounds a bit off, but I loved the reminder of the fact that God means what He says! God wants pure and loving obedience from His kids; but also, that He has grace on mercy on us when we don't obey!
King Solomon was the wisest and richest king who ever lived, no one has ever come close to being like he was. It just goes to show that riches, and intelligence does not make one good,or sin free. At the end of his life, King Solomon trusted in his wealth and in his military strength, not in the Lord.
It is a reminder to me to always be checking where my faith is placed; in self or in others? Or in the Lord God Almighty? For only a changed heart can make for changed actions!