Winston Salem church of Christ

Think of Solomon’s wisdom and most likely we remember the shocking judgment handed down, “Get me a sword.  Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” (1 Kings 3:24-25).  If any are unfamiliar with this court decision, read 1 Kings 3:16-28.  Instead of focusing on Solomon’s divinely given wisdom, or the true mother’s sacrificial love, let’s look at the other woman involved and her shocking actions – or better, shocking reactions. 

This unnamed prostitute suffers a devastating loss – her baby dies.  How?  The mother in her sleep accidentally smothers the baby because she lay on it (1 Kings 3:19).  Immediately – in the same night – she reacts by stealing another mother’s baby to replace hers, substituting her dead baby in the bed of the other mother.  Contradicting all that is motherhood, she is willing to allow another mother to unnecessarily hurt as deeply as she hurts.  Guilt can make us react in ways unimaginable, even deplorable.

Then when caught, she is even willing for that stolen baby to be severed in half just to keep the real mother from getting the child back.  If she can’t have the baby then no one can.  Again contradicting the motherly instinct God gave women, she is willing to allow another mother to suffer her same pain – she is not able to allow another to be happy.  Again, an appalling reaction to loss, pain, and guilt.

Horrific story – scary psychological study.  The loss of that which I love can cost me my humanity – my empathy towards others.  Especially if I feel guilt.  My loss can so numb me and warp me that I am willing for others to become numb and warped solely for the purpose of not seeing others enjoy what I have lost.  

The cost of that which is lost is more than simply what is lost.  The cost is me – I can become lost.  Only God can lead me to find His image within myself once again.