This chapter describes the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon, and the extent of Solomon’s wealth.
“And [the Queen of Sheba] said to the king, ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.’ ” (v6-9 abr)
The Lord blessed Solomon with such great wisdom and wealth that all neighboring nations heard of his reputation. The queen came with many hard questions, yet Solomon was able to answer them all because of the Lord’s wisdom. Solomon was also able to bless his neighbors with some of the wealth God entrusted to him, though he mostly used the wealth in his own house and for his opulent army (they had gold shields).
Despite having the most wisdom of anyone in the world, Solomon still used wealth to buy security. He amassed a huge, well-equipped army and built many fortifications. It’s almost as if he didn’t trust God to protect Israel. Yet, God still used Solomon to cause neighboring nations to worship the God of Israel.
This is good news for us. I’m not sure about you, but I have committed many sins (some innocent, some on purpose) over the years. The fact that God worked through a flawed Solomon, gives me hope and promise that God will work through me. I am far from flawless, just like Moses, Saul/Paul and Solomon were, yet God continually works through sinners (for all have sinned) to further His kingdom.
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Tim 1:15-16)
Paul and I offer the same encouragement – that we can still be vessels for God’s glory in this world, because we have received God’s mercy through redemption by Jesus’ blood. If/when we sin, we can confess that sin, and continue submitting ourselves to God’s will and leading. If God can work through Moses, Saul/Paul, and Solomon, He can work through us as well.
Father God, we praise Your holy name for You alone are worthy of our worship. Father thank you for the gifts of mercy and forgiveness that You blessed us with through Jesus. Thank you for Your steadfast loving work in our lives, even when we often fail. Thank you for continuing to work in and through us, for Your glory and honor, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training