Regarding Solomon, what he did wrong is, he was already married and still he had concubines, so he actually commited adultery towards his wife.
Just imagine, if you will - a man raking hot coals into his bosom.
Do you have that image in mind?
Now imagine yourself as an Israelite, and God is instructing Moses, in the tent.
Moses addresses the people.
You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. Deuteronomy 7:3, 4
Would this be you, in your camp, talking to others - "I know Moses said... but..."?
Think again of that man raking hot coals into his bosom.
Now, imagine yourself in the first century congregation, and Paul is giving this instruction:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
Would you be returning to your home discussing with your fellow brothers - I know Paul said... but...?
You know what I am going to say next. Think again of that man raking hot coals into his bosom.
Paul says, 1 Corinthians 7:3
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
We have to realize that these instructions are coming, not from mere men, but from God.
If we see mere men, we will rationalize disobeying instructions. If we see the one who is invisible, we will be obedient, even though some of the counsel may seem difficult.
Isaiah 48:17, 18 tells us God is instructing us for our good. We see that eventually.
It's better when we see it, before experiencing the consequences of disobeying.
Take Solomon for example.
1 Kings 11:4 reads, For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.
How sad that was.
Solomon was a good man. He really was, but because he disobeyed - likely by rationalizing, he fell victim to his treacherous heart. Jeremiah 17:9
We do well to learn from these examples, and not follow their unwise course.
If we do, it will turn out well for us.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
It's a fight, yes, but it's better to do this:
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Luke 13:24
Than do do this:
"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:27
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