Affinity

 

    Affinity is a spontaneous or natural liking for someone or something.  It can be sympathy.  It is a relationship structured between people, animals, plants, and languages.  It is a relationship that is chosen instead of acquired.  For an example a family made by marriage instead of birth relations.

    Solomon understood the value of affinity.  He made alliances with countries through marriage.  He had an alliance with the Pharoah of Egypt by marrying his daughter.  He brought her into the City of David until he finished building his palace, God's temple, and the wall that surrounded Jerusalem.  This was the first temple for God.  He took care of his wives, but God came first.  His affinity for God could not compare to any other relationship.

     Jehoshaphat was rich and held honor in abundance, but he had affinity with Ahab.  His son married Ahab's daughter.  He spent time and money with Ahab to invest in a good relationship.  He made sacrifices for his people and Ahab's people.  

    The relationship went well like that for years until Ahab used the affinity relationship to get Jehoshaphat to go to war with him.  Affinity can be a good thing, but it can also lead you in a direction that you were never meant to take.  The friendship was real to Jehoshaphat, so he did not hesitate to join Ahab in his ventures, even war.  He wanted to consult God about it, but he basically had already given his word.

    The affinity relationship that matters most is the one you have with God.  If you abandon him by abandoning his commands, then you are allowing unclean and impure habits into your life.  This will lead to detestable practices.  

    You have to watch over your relationship with God with accountability, so that you will be strong to fight for righteousness.  If you do, then you will see the blessings and benefits.  If you do not, then you choose to give into a sinful lifestyle which will bring God's anger.   The affinity of marriage is important because it does influence the affinity you have with God.  

1 Kings 3:1-3, 2 Chronicles 18:1-3, Ezra 9:10-15