1 Kings 10

“When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon’s wisdom, the palace he had built, the food at his table, his servants’ residence, his attendants’ service and their attire, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the Lord’s temple, it took her breath away. She said to the king, ‘The report I heard in my own country about your words and about your wisdom is true. But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard.’” 1 Kings 10:4-8 (HCSB)

There is a tendency for us to be appalled by all the gold and splendor in today’s chapter. How could God approve of Solomon’s abundance? At the risk of sounding like I subscribe to the “health & wealth” prosperity gospel (which I don’t), I want to put forth that the prosperity of God’s people is always the gift of the Lord’s goodness. It is the definition of “prosperity,” which is debatable. God’s goodness toward His people demands that we are both thankful (lest we idolize gifts in place of the Giver) and joyful (lest we despise prosperity as though it were sinful) rather than scornful.

Why must we default to being indignant over “materialism” rather than acknowledging that the Lord’s blessing makes some folks wealthy (Proverbs 10:22)? We should allow them to be content to enjoy such provision, should God choose to allow it. Actually, today’s chapter is a prophetic foretaste of the splendor of God’s Kingdom on earth. The Queen of Sheba is a sample of the future tribute the nations will bring to Messiah Jesus.

“May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. May desert tribes kneel before Him and His enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to Him, all nations serve Him.” Psalm 72:8-11 (HCSB)

“May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. May desert tribes kneel before Him and His enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to Him, all nations serve Him.” Psalm 72:8-11 (HCSB)

“May He live long! May gold from Sheba be given to Him. May prayer be offered for Him continually, and may He be blessed all day long.” Psalm 72:15 (HCSB)

“…because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of all the Gentiles shall come to you. The multitude of camels will cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.” Isaiah 60:5b-6 (NKJV)

Furthermore, today’s chapter sets up a word of criticism for unbelievers.

“The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here!” Matthew 12:42 (NKJV)

Jesus told the religious leaders of His day (those demanding a miracle) that the Queen of Sheba only needed a few Polaroids of Solomon’s riches and religious extravagance to be wooed. We have something GREATER than Solomon! We have Jesus and His Spirit!