“She arrived in Jerusalem accompanied by a very great
retinue, including camels bearing spices and gold in great abundance, and
precious stones” (1 Kings 10:2). This is, of course, talking about the Queen of
Sheba (some theologians believe she should be identified as the Queen of Saba).
She came to quiz Solomon with difficult questions. Her purpose was to verify
that everything she was hearing about Solomon and Israel was true.
But there was more to it than mere curiosity. She was
checking out whether Solomon was worthy of a trading alliance of some type. She
was also trying to get an accurate idea of Israel’s God. What impressed her was
Solomon’s wisdom AND his wealth (the palace he had built, the food at his
table, the way he managed his officials, their clothing). She was indeed
impressed. In verses 6-8, this is recorded:
She said to the king,
“The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom
is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own
eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far
exceeded the report I heard.
How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who
continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
Following this, the Queen appears to
recognize Israel’s God as the Lord God (Adonai). Verse 9 tells us she said,
“Blessed be Adonai your God, who took pleasure in you to put you on the throne
of Israel. Because of Adonai’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king,
to administer judgment and justice fairly.” The question is whether or not she
truly believed in God. Remember what true belief is as explained in my November
21st blog article. It involves action, changes in behavior. It’s not
enough to recognize God as the supreme God. Believing means our whole lives
change because of our understanding of God and His character.
What impressed the Queen? Wisdom,
intellect, and wealth. She was basing her whole opinion of God on how wealthy
and wise Solomon was. That was basing her belief in God on outward appearances.
In her mind, Solomon and Israel were as affluent as they were because of their
God. She evaluated the spiritual condition of Solomon and Israel on outward
intellectualism and material wealth, not the deep down inner faith of true
followers of God.
I see a warning for us. There are many
who proclaim they are in tune with God and are, obviously, doing His will
because of the material wealth and reputation they have. Are we mesmerized by a
leader’s wealth or charisma? Do we believe everything they say because it looks
like God has blessed them? That’s exactly what the Queen of Saba was doing. The
caution goes further. Are we convincing ourselves that because we have
knowledge of an all-powerful God, we are granted eternal life? The Queen of
Saba returned to her land not having changed anything in her life. She was
returning to worship the moon god. She was returning without applying any of
the Law to her or her countrymen’s lives. There was no change in her life from
the encounter, the experience.
I am concerned about many who have had
an experience at a church service or some other moment of great emotion, but
there are no changes in their life. They return to the same behaviors, the same
ways of thinking, and the ways of the rest of the world. True salvation comes
from believing and acting on the truths of Scripture, yet so many, after their
“mountaintop” experience, never look deep into the Scriptures to learn what
needs to be changed in their lives. My heart aches for those people, many of
whom I notice may be attending my church and churches all around the world.
Consider whether you have significantly changed your behaviors, your values,
and your thoughts and pursue the God of the Scriptures that changes lives.
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