Compromise

It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing … that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him.—1 Kings 16:31 NASB

Phoenicians are remembered as the inventors of a uniform alphabet and masters of the sea. This explosion of influence took place around the twelfth century BC following the decline of some other major civilizations. Over the next several centuries, they built a commercial empire and explored much of the known world.

These shrewd entrepreneurs gained influence in part because they controlled important raw materials, particularly cedar wood. We read about them in the Bible through their major cities, including Tyre and Sidon.

Recognizing their skills, King David became a friend to Hiram, king of Tyre, who provided materials and talent for the construction of the Temple and other buildings. Solomon used Tyre’s seafaring prowess on voyages of exploration, commerce, and development.

Hiram’s dynasty ended late in the ninth century BC when Ethbaal revolted and assumed the throne. Ethbaal retained good relations with Israel. His daughter Jezebel married Ahab, the king of Israel. But the result was a disaster for God’s people, as Ahab abandoned the worship of God and embraced Phoenician gods.

We can learn from the Phoenicians. Others may possess skills that can help us and resources that can empower us. But we must be on guard and not allow them to weaken our faith. This can happen to anyone, even you.

Make sure you stay focused on God’s Word. Be on guard and don’t give in to compromise.

Reflection Question: What happens when you’ve given in to the temptation to compromise?