Sheba Models the Seeker

Scripture: Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard." 1 Kings 10:6-7

Observation: The queen of Sheba comes to Solomon to investigate his wisdom for herself, and finds that he is exceedingly more wise than she was even told. She did not believe the original reports, but in seeking the truth found the truth to be even better and greater. In the process, Solomon answers ALL her questions and nothing was too difficult (v3). She hears not only this wisdom, but also sees the joy of the king's household and even those who serve (v5,8), and is impressed to the point that she surrenders her own spirit to this truth (v5).

The queen heard that the Lord had blessed Solomon with this great wisdom ... she was curious (v2) but full of doubt (v7). What she discovered was even greater than she had heard, revealed to her by both wisdom about all things in creation, and the attitudes of the people enjoying that wisdom.

The queen of Sheba is a seeker. She has come with both serious doubts, but also a dose of curiosity, about ... creation, the world, the purpose of life, and a God who may have defined it all, with a person who might be granted the wisdom to reveal it. She does not believe, but is open to learn. And she discovers the truth about every aspect of her life, even beyond what she had been prepared to ask about. Further, she sees goodness and love flowing from that wisdom through the behavior of the believers. And she therefore believes in Yahweh, declares him good, honors him through gifts to his people, and will return home with knowledge to share about his goodness and love.

Application: This is the Old Testament model of what we would want to present to seekers who come to church. We would want them to see wisdom and love - to hear answers to the questions of their lives and purpose - while observing the joy, peace, happiness, and friendship of believers who are already there.

We are in a time where there are SO many questions about ... what in the world is going on in creation! There are questions about ... ethnic conflicts, historic prejudice, tragic disease, cultural collapse, personal anxieties ... everything. And there are people who strongly doubt that there are any logical answers or eternal wisdom to resolve any of this, and certainly don't believe a Christian who might tell them to "just believe in Jesus."

But yet ... oh, that they may be curious enough to just come and seek ... to put questions in their hearts, and then spend the time to listen for the answers. And not just one hour or one day; the queen of Sheba certainly invested months in her journey of discovery. Yet if it is only for one hour, the Lord's wisdom can still address their questions.

Prayer: Lord, as we reopen all our churches of in-person attendance, please send those who doubt, who have questions, who do not believe, and who even reject, but yet have questions. When seekers arrive at church, may the behavior of the believers already there exhibit the existence of wisdom. May our love and joy model a hope that transcends the current earthly issues, and opens up those who come to their curiosity. And I know your wisdom, your love, and your truth will reign. Amen.