Advent and the Queen of Sheba
1 Kings 10:1–10
10:1Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.
6 And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 10 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Imagine the kind of proclamation it took to bring this queen to visit Solomon.
The Queen of Sheba had heard of his fame and desired to see if it was true.
Yet, at the end of this story she is amazed by his wisdom and claims that his wisdom surpassed the report she had been told.
The gift that God had blessed the world with through Solomon was greater than words could express.
Today, as I read this passage I couldn’t help but think that God’s news is always better than the initial report.
Look to Luke 2:
2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Just like the Queen of Sheba, these shepherds were told a great report…
The saving Christ was born!
Yet, they did not yet know that Jesus would far surpass the good news that was reported to them that night.
They could never have imagined the prosperity and peace that would come as a result of the advent (coming) of the Chrsit.
Today, reflect and imagine how great the report of Jesus coming to the world must have been.
Just Imagine how much better Jesus is when we see him with our own eyes (1 Kings 10:7).
Jesus has surpassed the report!
“Happy are your men!
Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel!
Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”