High Places

² Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. ³ And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.⁴ Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”- 1 Kings 3:2-5

     A sad reality and a handful of questions all in one. Verse two is all too real in my own life and the lives of those around me. I so quickly fall away from the Lord if there is not a support system around me. Don't get me wrong, a church family and Godly friends and Bible studies are all a wonderful part of our Christian walk. The problem comes when I rely on these "extras" to support me. When I get right down to the facts, the only thing that matters is my personal relationship with Jesus. I have to be able to keep myself focused. What if I lose my church family? What if I'm called somewhere without a church? What if I have no friends who know God? What if there are no Bible studies? What if I lose all connection to Christianity whatsoever? Have I then lost my relationship, my salvation, my Lord? What a crazy idea! The people in this passage seem to be sacrificing to idols simply because there is no temple. How sad. 

     This brings me to the many questions this passage raises for me. High places is primarily used to describe locations of pagan worship. If that is the meaning here, why does the Bible seem so casual with the mention of Solomon doing the same? Verse three says that Solomon loved God, yet he is making major sacrifices at the largest altar around. How does this make sense? God appears to Solomon and offers him whatever he wants. Would God do this with an idolatrous man? What are your thoughts? Opinions? Please comment below.