Wednesday 10 February 2010

Background

The identification of the Queen of Sheba is difficult to verifyhistorically, but the type of spices and precious stones she bringsto Solomon have caused many researchers to conclude that she maywell have travelled from a region such as Ethiopia or Yemen.

What is clear, however, is that Solomon's reputation of wealth andsuccess drew curious visitors from the most distant kingdoms of theancient world. Treaties and mutually beneficial arrangements wouldbe on the minds of many of Israel's neighbours and Solomon'schallenge would be to choose how best to respond to them.

The mysterious Queen of Sheba plies Solomon with many gifts andcompliments and her comments seem to suggest that the 'hardquestions' he answers for her relate to the nature of God and ofSolomon's religion. The description of Solomon's wealth in thelatter part of this chapter, however, suggests that his devotion toGod may already be wavering and his desire for wealth and comfortmay become his downfall.

There is a huge irony in Solomon choosing an Egyptian wife afterpraising God for bringing the Israelites out of "the iron smelter"(8:51), and when we read that Solomon gave the queen all shedesired, it seems that his good intentions are already being testedby the lure of popularity and praise.

To Ponder

How can we keep others in touch with theirspiritual needs in a culture of relative comfort and plenty? Andwhat about yourself?

How do you equip yourself for the times whenothers ask you 'hard questions' about God?

Is it ever appropriate for Christians to acquireand keep large amounts of money and possessions?