Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
Word had gotten to the Queen of all that was happening in Jerusalem. Reports were such that it was not enough to hear about them. She had to see for herself. This would have been no small venture.
- After asking her “hard questions” and Solomon’s answers
- After seeing his kingdom, his riches, and the happiness of his people
she said the half had not been told, and she wouldn't have believed if she had not seen with her own eyes.
This brings to my mind both a positive and a negative perspective.
From the positive
I am thinking of the person who hears of Jesus Christ, perhaps even rejoices in the reports about the Lord, and is happy for those who enjoy their relationship with Him but do not come to know Christ on their own. A person will never know the fullness of what it means to know Christ unless they know Him for themselves.
From the negative
I am thinking of Thomas, of whom the Bible says,
John 20:25 (KJV)
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
He refused to believe the reports of the others. He had to see for himself. The Bible goes on,
John 20:27-29 (KJV)
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Our world is filled with souls today who refuse to come to Christ because they, in effect, have said, “Except I shall see…I will not believe.“
Perhaps the Queen of Sheba betrayed her doubtful nature when, after all, was said and done, she gave glory, not to God but to Solomon, when she said the Lord loved Israel and therefore made Solomon king. None of what she witnessed was because of Solomon. She used the name of the Lord, but she only saw Solomon.
Is it not a faithless perspective that credits the man God uses and not the God who uses the man?
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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