Just the thing for the king?

 

The Queen of Sheba

1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-9.

 

If you were the Australian prime minister, what gift would you present to the President of the United States? An artwork of an indigenous painter? What would you receive in return? State gifts smooth relationships between countries and create goodwill for the ensuing negotiations.

 

Monarchs have relied on diplomacy since ancient times. King Solomon reigned in Israel between 970 B.C. and 931 B.C. As he ascended the throne, he asked God for wisdom rather than wealth and God, in his kindness, blessed him with both.

 

 Solomon built palaces and a temple to the God of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It had been King David’s lifelong ambition, but Solomon achieved it for his father. The fame of his kingdom spread as far as Sheba, some three thousand to four thousand kilometers south from Jerusalem due to his seafaring trade with Hiram, king of Tyre. Historians refer to Southern Arabia or to Yemen as the likely location of the ancient city of Sheba or Saba. Whether Sheba was west or east of the Red Sea, the queen traveled with her retinue through desert lands to Jerusalem.

 

 The rumors of Solomon’s marvelous talents, faith, and fame were so outlandish they intrigued the queen.

Perhaps his wisdom would benefit her country. Many spoke of his love for God, but how could you love a god? It was better to appease them. Yet, it was widely known Israel’s God had conquered their enemies. She called her courtiers and loaded her caravan with spices, large quantities of gold and precious stones, her diplomatic gifts.

 

The Queen entered Solomon’s royal court, where he received her at a state banquet. Her eyes roamed the hall at the assembled dignitaries, arranged from the most prestigious in their finery to the least, each robed according to their rank. At each setting, the servants, in their colorful livery, placed exotic dishes and sweet treats before their guests. The cupbearers sipped the wines before recommending them to the king and his entourage. The wine flowed while the entire company celebrated the king’s opulent generosity.

 

Solomon welcomed the queen of Sheba and invited her to God’s temple. As she entered the outer court, the aroma of the burnt offerings and smoke filled the air, rising in a massive plume into the sky above the altar. Harps, lyres, and trumpets accompanied the singing in rich tones of strength and beauty. She stood captivated, overwhelmed by the sanctity of the service, the king and the congregation’s reverence toward their God. Despite the solemnity, she sensed their love and devotion as the king praised his God for his loving kindness. She'd ask him why his God was so good.

 

 Solomon answered her thought-provoking questions, showing her his kingdom’s wealth. God had blessed his court with riches beyond her imagination. She presented him with exotic spices, precious stones, and gold, and he favored her with the treasures she admired. As she left Jerusalem, her memories of Solomon’s fabulous kingdom would remain with her forever. She would worship his God because he was superior to the gods she knew.  

 

After a thousand years, Jesus came to earth. 

The Pharisees listened to his teaching, but unlike the queen of Sheba, they tried to trap him by their questions. Jesus reminded them the southern queen visited Jerusalem to hear Solomon’s wisdom. If they listened, they would have realized Jesus is greater than Solomon. Matthew 12:42.

 

 If we belong to Jesus, we’re citizens of his kingdom who enjoy his generous gifts and wisdom. His treasures include robes of righteousness, Bible feasts of the Spirit’s fruit, glimpses into his heavenly kingdom, lifelong protection and eternal salvation, preparation and equipping for his service. Regardless of our social status, we may share a personal relationship with the King of kings who knows and loves his people. He intercedes with the Father on our behalf. Just as he’s given himself for us and to us, so we give ourselves to him with love and gratitude.

 

In Zechariah 3, the priest stood in filthy garments. The angel replaced them with clean white linen and a fresh turban. The plate on his forehead read, Holiness to the Lord. Our heavenly linen garments represent the righteousness of the saints, Christ’s righteousness in us, which he purchased with his blood. Revelations 19:8.

 

The way we dress creates an impression. It’s a challenge to live for Jesus, to keep his robes clean. Do my words reflect his character? Does integrity mark my life? Do people gain the impression I’m representing King Jesus? Do I treasure his gifts of salvation and righteousness?

 

 

And spiritual food? Jesus is the Bread of Life. When we feed on his words, he’ll satisfy us with sweet fruit. Whenever we feast on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control, we honor Jesus because they are the fruits of his Spirit. They’re so attractive everyone appreciates their intrinsic value.

 

Jesus imbues us in his wisdom. Proverbs contains the wisdom of Solomon, but he has directed us to God, to the friend who stays closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24. Trust in the Lord and don’t figure everything on your own. In everything you do, acknowledge him and he will guide your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6.

 

Search the scriptures and we’ll discover more than we imagined. 

On her epic journey the queen of Sheba discovered spectacular riches and wisdom. Her mission may have been diplomatic, but she received far more than she gave. Jesus owes us nothing and provides everything we need in love. Whatever we offer him, he will use and repay us with spiritual blessings, redolent of his glory and beauty. Our worship and service declare him to the world.

 

‘How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long ago, he adopted us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.’

 

Ephesians 1:3-6, paraphrased from the New Living Translation.