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1 Kings 10:1-13 and
Chronicles 9:1-12
Books have been written and
movies have been made about the visit of queen of Sheba to the court of King
Solomon. The queen of Sheba is mentioned in the Bible, the Koran, the Talmud,
and several Arabic and Persian folktales.
The queen of Sheba visited
Solomon to find out for herself if what she had heard about his wisdom and
accomplishments was true. She was a wise and resourceful woman who came with
hard questions to test Solomon. She challenged Solomon and found his answers
were beyond her expectations. She saw his leadership and was impressed by the
man and the ruler.
Many legends say that the
queen came as a sun worshiper and left as a follower of the one true God of
Solomon. Ethiopian Christians today trace their ancestry to Menelik, the son of
Solomon and Sheba.
Whenever we wonder about
something we have read, seen on television, or heard on the radio, we are
showing the inquisitiveness that the queen of Sheba displayed. We need to
respond as she did and question things, check references, and verify sources.
The queen of Sheba sets the
example of a strong woman who thought for herself. Rather than accepting rumors,
she went to great bother and traveled a long distance to verify the stories. She
prepared herself to ask the right questions, to listen, and to respond to the
answers given.
She followed protocol and
arrived at Solomon’s court with gifts so great that they are chronicled in her
story. She returned to Ethiopia having learned valuable lessons, and she shared
that knowledge with her people. Because of her visit, God’s word was brought
to a new country.
The queen of Sheba teaches
us to question, seek answers, and act on what we learn. The results don’t
guarantee an easy life, but by following her example we can seek to be effective
evangelists as she was.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for using unexpected people in unusual circumstances to spread
the good news. Help me to be inquisitive and to look for answers from
extraordinary sources. Bless my journey on your earth. Amen
Arlene Roth served on the
Women of the ELCA executive board from 1999 to 2005.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2002 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy
with these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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