2nd Chronicles 9:1. “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.”
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA. It must have been impressive when the Queen of Sheba came. And when she opened up to him – admiring his wealth and fame – She reached that part in the male ego where the flattery we believe. And our focus is changed from heaven to earth and on the benefits we receive.
When one begins to attend to the blessings, not the Blesser, the world soon gets its way. And those who symbolize what mans’ treacherous heart craves soon has a powerful sway. Over one who has a tendency to judge success by “things” and attainments. The world comes in to cloud our view and we try to explain away God’s commandments.
The questions they ask often seem so sincere where worldly people seek to test our faith. But they are coming from a different point of reference that gives to the flesh a prominent place. “If it pleases me,” the person of the world says, “Then it must be right.” And right behind flesh, comes the lust of the eyes wanting everything in sight.
Perhaps more vulnerable and susceptible to flattery is the deceitful pride of life. When one is able to be adored by others, we love the attention not noticing the knife That is in the hand of the one whose smooth words flow like a rolling tide Over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride itself – until the knife is thrust in one’s side.
Then we start to believe the flattery; we pay attention to the world’s chief aim. Before long we are caused to believe the sly words and forget more of God’s main claim – That if we honor Him, He will honor us: not falling for the world’s adulation. When we think the flattery, we get is true, we are only a step from God’s condemnation.
The life of a Christian is not a success if he is only successful in business. Nor can we think we are the person God intends if people with words exalt us. In God’s plan of things, the measure is made up of how much treasure we have in heaven. The things that please God, the worship, service and prayers; these have salt and light in them.
The world won’t quit trying to conquer me as long as I live for the Lord. The cosmos has a way of distracting my intellect from seeking to attend to God’s Word. It has ways and means to confront me constantly with things to make me dissatisfied. These things appeal to my fleshly nature, and for a price, promises to be mine.
But I have been made a new creation in Christ, and am able to find joy where God finds His. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within to make one from the world’s attractions to desist. He lifts my eyes above the asphalt streets to where the streets are paved with gold. And when my attention is focused on Christ, truly, “The half has not been told.”
“O Gracious Father, I find in Thee the rest of heart and life, the people of the world are seeking. As I prepare my mind to seek the truth of Thy Word, may I not be distracted. Please keep me from paying attention to flattering word of men. Enable me to see all that is around me, and all that is going on, through Thy eyes. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
It appears from the writing of the Chronicles that the writer was aware of the fact that Solomon had set his heart upon his riches that were increasing. Even though he does not make written condemnation of the accumulation of gold and horse, of splendor and renown - he does compare his wealth with the lesser wealth and wisdom of "all the other kings of the earth." All they brought to him "year by year" may sound at first reading that they were gifts of appreciation. Really, those were forms of taxes being paid by those who were subjugated to the rule of Solomon. High taxes without anything to show for them except extravagance on the part of leaders, soon leads to discontent and rebellion.
Even though it did not serve the purpose of Ezra to condemn the actions of Solomon that ultimately turned him away from God, it is wise for us to consider the dangers to us. The desire for pleasure will never be satisfied. The gathering of wealth and all that goes with it will never be satiated. One's ambition for self- fulfillment will never stop unless something or someone of greater worth takes the place of supremacy. Outward trappings of our success will not impress others as much as we might think, and certainly not as much as they impress one's own ego. Often it will bring criticism and resentment to others. Foolish spending on trinkets serve no real purpose except to fill the pockets of traders and give us a temporary laugh. Excessive military spending will end up being used for military defense against those who want to take away what we have for themselves, or for our aggression in order to protect what we have.
The whole story of Solomon reads almost like an unreal story of one who had everything, but left nothing of real value behind to his family and children. A variety of people recorded events and things about Solomon and his reign for forty years. Forty years than came and went like a brief flash in the unfolding history of God's dealing with men. All that he did that was so good and right in the first twenty plus years of his reign, lost its real value by the time of his death. The golden buildings were still there when he died. Thousands of horses were still in their stalls needing to be fed. Huge numbers of government employees beside the cheap labor needed to maintain the extravagance he brought, were still working to maintain the outward appearance of Solomon's success. But underneath were the seeds and murmurs of discontent among the rank and file of God's people. The glamour of foreign dignitaries coming and going hid the resentment of extreme taxation. Religious forms and idolatry had surpassed the true worship of God by the king and those associated with him. Instead of worshipping "in spirit and in truth," it was in appearance only and in compromise with evil.
What started out good ended bad. What could have been a blessing if Solomon's mind had been "stayed on Thee," became a travesty and perversion of righteousness. Instead of "them that honor Me, I will honor," it ended in "they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." We need to understand, and accept what God says is right, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."
2Chronicles 9:6. “Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.”
HALF HAS NOT BEEN TOLD. Two heads of state met together, to discuss the events of their day. There seemed to be a connection; each heard what the other had to say. Economy was not a problem; each apparently had peace in their land. They exchanged pleasantries and information; she put a great gift in his hand.
He in turn opened up to her questions, and to all that she asked – he replied. She held nothing back – and from his wisdom, he told her, it was on his God he relied. His wisdom and understanding were given by the Lord who he gratefully served – God from His storehouse so great – gave to him far more than he deserved.
His servants, and his leaders all seemed happy to be serving their king – and to hear All the teaching and instruction he could give them, and were glad responsibilities to bear. The Lord God who chose that little nation, and whose wisdom the king was able to share – Was delighted when this king as a servant, was not proud but the cloak of wisdom did wear.
From God, daily blessings we receive, and many, envy our peace of mind.
When people ask, we tell in conversation, it is in Christ satisfaction we find. To try to explain to one who lives in the dark, what light looks like when the sun brightly shines; Is about what it’s like to make plain salvation and grace, to one who is spiritually blind.
If I said it is like stepping out of the darkness of night, into the light of a bright summer’s day; Or it is like building on a solid foundation of rock, instead of building a house on wet clay – Or if I said it is like coming from a road-less desert, onto a good road and clearly marked way; The fact is – I haven’t told half of the blessing and joy, even if I said all I could say.
For the character and work of the Person of Christ, far exceeds all I could ever think. And the greatness of redemption He paid for with blood, has saved me from hell’s awful brink. The gift of salvation He gave and I received, defies description by every pen and all ink. No, the half has never – and will never be known, for His greatness surpasses everything.
“O Great God and Heavenly Father: I am not attempting to describe the indescribable; I am simple worshipping at the thought of the greatness and majesty and the glory of Thy Person, and the immensity of all Thy work and power. I am in awe of Thee, yet am able to say, ‘Abba Father’ and not be out of place. I honor Thee, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”