It's All True!
King
Solomon’s reputation for superior wisdom had become renown throughout Israel
and its neighboring countries. So much so, that the Queen of Sheba (a territory
in northwest Arabia) came to Jerusalem to put his wisdom to the test. After she
witnessed it for herself, she said to the king, “It’s all true! Your reputation
for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is
confirmed. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself; they
didn’t exaggerate! Such wisdom and elegance—far more than I could ever have
imagined.”
The
Queen went on to heap treasures, rewards, and praises upon Solomon and Israel.
In her words of praise, she clearly gives God the glory. By
her extravagant gifts and her flattering words, she acknowledges (perhaps unknowingly)
three truths about God and His dealings with mankind.
First, she acknowledges that it is God’s love for
Israel that has brought about such a successful and powerful kingdom. “God’s
love is behind this,” she says. What a joy it is when others see something
positive in our lives and it gives them a glimpse of God’s love. The very act
of establishing and setting apart this one nation for God’s purpose was a show
of His deep love.
Second, she acknowledges that God is the one who institutes
kingdoms and rulers. She said, “He has made you king over them.” This
truth is confirmed in Daniel 2:21 – “It is He [the LORD] who
changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to
those who know understanding.” This confirms
that all governmental authority derives its power from God who grants such
power. According to Romans 13:1, “All authority comes from God, and those in
positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
Third,
she recognizes that the primary purpose of human government is to “execute
justice and righteousness.” The role of governments is to seek, serve, and
promote the common good of the people. Based on the truth of the dignity and
value of every human being, justice means to give each person that which is due
and which, expressed negatively, means to punish evil and, expressed positively,
to promote good. Governments aren’t there so the elites can benefit
themselves. They exist to benefit the governed. Governments exist solely at the
behest of God and are called to govern their citizens with justice and
righteousness. Any nation that exists for any other reason or which has
corrupted God’s purposes, is doomed to failure.
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