Have you ever met someone that seemed to have it all together? Someone that regardless of what it was, they seemed to excel at it? There was that kid in school that never had to study and was great at sports. The person that had good looks and good character to back it up. Did you ever just wish you could find something wrong? In 1 Kings 10 there was a similar situation going on. The Queen of Sheba, a woman with plenty of money, power, and influence traveled over a thousand miles to meet this king named Solomon to test his intellect. I think it would be safe to say that she wanted to see if he lived up to the hype.
As the story goes, Queen Sheba shows up with her whole caravan of camels bringing gifts all across the spectrum. Once introductions had been made and gifts swapped, the queen was free to grill Solomon with whatever question she could think of. We don't know exactly what all she asked of Solomon, but we do know that he answered every question. Not only did he answer every single one, but verse 3 says that "nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her." Once Sheba had asked all she could and witnessed the kingdom that Solomon had built, she was in utter awe. “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." (1 Kings 10:6-7)
This is a big statement coming from someone that it would have seemed had it all together. A person of her stature and wealth has reached the point where she realized something was missing from her already beautiful life and she was searching for something to sustain her. As big as that speech was, her closing statement is where we see her coming to the true realization of what she was missing. "Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”(1 Kings 10:9) She didn't congratulate Solomon on what he had built, but instead she praised the God who used Solomon for his glory.
Yes, Solomon was the wisest man in history. Yes, his kingdom was the wealthiest in history. Yes, even the people under his care were happy with him. However, after witnessing all of this in person, Queen Sheba realized that this couldn't be accomplished even by a man as great as Solomon. Instead, she gives credit to him for keeping the peace and maintaining the holiness standards. I think it would be safe to say that none of us could ever match Solomon's wisdom. We probably won't ever have the same wealth or rule over a kingdom like he did. The good news is that none of that is needed to glorify God in a way that even those that seem to have it all together take notice. Instead, simply living a life that is just in character and righteous in lifestyle will speak God's love more than us trying pretend to "have it all together" ever could. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Don't worry about having it all together. Instead, make sure God has your world in his hands.
Coburn Hoffman
As the story goes, Queen Sheba shows up with her whole caravan of camels bringing gifts all across the spectrum. Once introductions had been made and gifts swapped, the queen was free to grill Solomon with whatever question she could think of. We don't know exactly what all she asked of Solomon, but we do know that he answered every question. Not only did he answer every single one, but verse 3 says that "nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her." Once Sheba had asked all she could and witnessed the kingdom that Solomon had built, she was in utter awe. “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." (1 Kings 10:6-7)
This is a big statement coming from someone that it would have seemed had it all together. A person of her stature and wealth has reached the point where she realized something was missing from her already beautiful life and she was searching for something to sustain her. As big as that speech was, her closing statement is where we see her coming to the true realization of what she was missing. "Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”(1 Kings 10:9) She didn't congratulate Solomon on what he had built, but instead she praised the God who used Solomon for his glory.
Yes, Solomon was the wisest man in history. Yes, his kingdom was the wealthiest in history. Yes, even the people under his care were happy with him. However, after witnessing all of this in person, Queen Sheba realized that this couldn't be accomplished even by a man as great as Solomon. Instead, she gives credit to him for keeping the peace and maintaining the holiness standards. I think it would be safe to say that none of us could ever match Solomon's wisdom. We probably won't ever have the same wealth or rule over a kingdom like he did. The good news is that none of that is needed to glorify God in a way that even those that seem to have it all together take notice. Instead, simply living a life that is just in character and righteous in lifestyle will speak God's love more than us trying pretend to "have it all together" ever could. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Don't worry about having it all together. Instead, make sure God has your world in his hands.
Coburn Hoffman
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