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WHAT THE SWORD REVEALS
A stirring tale from King Solomon's reign alerts us to the often perilous way of decision (see 1 Kings 3:16-28). Two women give birth, but one child dies in the night. The mother of the lost infant exchanges the children so the other woman will bear the loss. But the true mother isn't deceived: she knows this unfortunate baby isn't hers.
The women approach Solomon to determine the rightful mother of the living baby. Solomon calls for a sword, proposing to divide the child and give each woman half. The real mother immediately surrenders her claim, hoping to save the baby. The pretender, meanwhile, accepts the cruel terms. Solomon recognizes in the real mother an authentic maternal love and awards the baby to her.
The sword in this story slices through deception and reveals who's who. Of course, we find this savage tale unacceptably brutal. No one would act out this terrible morality play today. Yet even in its savagery, this tale offers a powerful lesson. How often are we unmasked in the critical hour, revealing our true face! We want to be perceived as trustworthy, hardworking, loyal, self-sacrificing, or any of a number of traits. But when the sword passes close to our hearts—as it will—we may betray another nature altogether. Our true selves may even surprise us, as we discover who we really are and the decisions we're prepared to make in crisis. For which the only remedy is humility and a willingness to repent.
—Alice Camille,
reprinted with permission from TrueQuest Communications
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