September 13th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

International Acclaim

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Opening Prayer

Lord God, through struggles overcome and blessings received, I make this day a gift of gratitude and hope to You.

Read 2 Chronicles 9:1-12

[1] When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan-with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones-she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. [2] Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. [3] When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, [4] the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed. [5] She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. [6] But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. [7] How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! [8] Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” [9] Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. [10] (The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon brought gold from Ophir; they also brought algumwood and precious stones. [11] The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.) [12] King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The power of God is made available to us in order that we might live purposefully down here in the normal circumstances of life” (Stuart Briscoe).

Think Further

Solomon’s partnerships with Hiram of Tyre gave him access to the Mediterranean trade routes. Now with a port on the Gulf of Aqaba (8:17) and Phoenician ships and sailors he can trade in South Arabia and East Africa. Sheba (probably Yemen) had a flourishing trade in luxury goods between Africa and India. So this state visit from the queen was undoubtedly motivated by more than romantic or intellectual curiosity about Solomon’s reputation. The scale of gifts would seem to indicate a trade mission to sound out Solomon and come to an agreement with him.

Solomon asked for wisdom and his wisdom has been tested and probed by an experienced head of state. She looked critically at how he ran his administration, how he explained his policy and how he negotiated with her (3,4). She assessed the stability of Solomon’s Israel, with loyal and contented officials and justice for its citizens (7,8). She was impressed at how thoroughly the worship at the temple was built into the life of the court (3). It sounds as if she heard testimony from Solomon and others attributing their success to the love and care of the God of Israel and his support for Solomon as king (8). When Solomon chose to ask for wisdom, God promised he would have wisdom and wealth and honor. This queen heaps honor on him but the honor also redounds as praise to Israel’s God.

Solomon realized that ruling could be an overwhelming task (1:10), but God had given him this responsibility and would also give him the ability to carry it out.  Sometimes God’s calls on us can seem overwhelming but we can rest assured that God will give us all we need to fulfill our responsibilities. Then, like the Queen of Sheba was, others will be amazed at what they see.

Apply

Good times can be a witness to God’s faithfulness and love, but hard times come to believers, too. How can you be an effective witness in both situations?

Closing prayer

Lord, You are the God of the ups and downs of life. Help me trust You at all times and in all circumstances.

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