Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon

To me, this is one of the interesting passages in the Bible which intrigues me why it was included. In today's reading, particularly 2 Chronicles 9, here comes the Queen of Sheba who has heard of this new king on the block who apparently has a lot of wisdom. She comes to ask Solomon "hard questions" to hear his wisdom and she brings with her a train of gifts.

2 Chronicles 9:2-4 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

I had a look at Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage and I've pasted it below for your encouragement, its a little long...

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary
2Ch 9:12

The Queen of Sheba Visit Solomon.	B. C. 992.

This passage of story had been largely considered in the Kings; yet, because our Saviour has proposed it as an example to us in our enquiries after him (Mt 12:42), we must not pass it over without observing briefly, 1. Those who honour God he will honour, 1Sa 2:30. Solomon had greatly honoured God, in building, beautifying, and dedicating the temple; all his wisdom and all his wealth were employed for the making of that a consummate piece: and now God made his wisdom and wealth to redound greatly to his reputation. The way to have both the credit and comfort of all our endowments and all our enjoyments is to consecrate them to God and use them for him. 2. Those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains nor cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and yet, learning from him to serve God and do her duty, she thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that pearl of great price which is a good bargain to purchase by parting with all that we have. 3. As every man has received the gift so he ought to minister the same for the edification of others, as he has opportunity. Solomon was communicative of his wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. Let those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn to do good and be ready to distribute. Give to every one that asketh. 4. Good order in a family, a great family, especially in the things of God, and a regular discharge of the duties of religious worship, are highly expedient, and to be much admired wherever found. The queen of Sheba was exceedingly affected to see the propriety with which Solomon's servants attended him and with which both he and they attended in the house of God. David's ascent to the house of the Lord was also pleasant and interesting, Ps 42:4. 5. Those are happy who have the opportunity of a constant converse with such as are knowing, wise, and good. The queen of Sheba thought Solomon's servants happy who continually heard his wisdom; for, it seems, even to them he was communicative. And it is observable that the posterity of those who had places in his court were willing to have the names of their ancestors forgotten, and thought themselves sufficiently distinguished and dignified when they were called the children of Solomon's servants (Ezr 2:55; Ne 7:57); so eminent were they that it was honour enough to be named from them. 6. We ought to rejoice and give God thanks for the gifts, graces, and usefulness, of others. The queen of Sheba blessed God for the honour he put upon Solomon, and the favour he did to Israel, in advancing him to the throne, 2Ch 9:8. By giving God the praise of the prosperity of others, we share in the comfort of it; whereas, by envying the prosperity of others, we lose the comfort even of our own. The happiness of both king and kingdom she traces up to the fountain of all bliss, the divine favour: it was because thy God delighted in thee and because he loved Israel. Those mercies are doubly sweet in which we can taste the kindness and good will of God as our God. 7. It becomes those that are wise and good to be generous according to their place and power. The queen of Sheba was so to Solomon, Solomon was so to her, 2Ch 9:9,12. They both knew how to value wisdom, and therefore were neither of them covetous of their money, but cultivated the acquaintance and confirmed the friendship they had contracted by mutual presents. Our Lord Jesus has promised to give us all our desire: Ask, and it shall be given you. Let us study what we shall render to him, and not think any thing too much to do, or suffer, or part with, for him.

Romans 4

I don’t think i remember realising that the book of Romans actually has an account of Moses in it in Chapter 4:

Romans 4:18  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Romans 4:19  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

Romans 4:20   He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:21  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Romans 4:22  And therefore it (faith) was imputed to him for righteousness.

 

Its a good reminder that God is not asking us to have babies at 100 years old yet we cant trust his promises in the way Abraham did.

 

Why the Old Testament

Here are some points from the second session of the Old Testament Survey titled "Why the Old Testament".

 

 

Why does the OT seem irrelevant?

 

1.    Its large size and breadth of the historical coverage

The New Testament has 27 books covering an estimate of 100 years, whereas the Old Testament consists of 39 books starting from the beginning of creation and covering thousands of years.

2.    Distant historical/cultural settings

E.g. Eastern Empires and family customs

3.    Moral perplexities

E.g. Holy war, multiple wives and slavery

4.    Unfamiliar/enigmatic style of expressions

E.g. Hebrew narrative: repetition to express emphasis, Solomon's expression of affection – ".. thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon.." - Songs of Solomon 7:4.

5.    Difference between OT and NT dispensation

E.g. Law, cleanness and uncleanness

6.    Inferiority of the Old Covenant

(Hebrew 8) The fault of Israel did not keep the covenant therefore God made a new covenant.

2 Corinthians 3: Contrasts ministry of Moses. The old covenant is a covenant of condemnation and is temporary, the new covenant is permanent is about the knowledge of God & forgiveness.

 

 

Why study the OT?

 

1.    OT comprises 77% of the Bible

If we claim that the Bible is the Word of God, should we not give more attention to that part which holds ¾ of it?

2.    OT deals with some doctrines more completely than the NT – i.e. more detailed.

Examples:     Covers attributes of God (Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah etc)

                        Doctrine of sin – where it came from and its affects,

                        Satan and angels,

                        Eschatology: gives more literal interpretation

3.    Provides perspective on God's working throughout history

OT gives reasons for things & how it was developed – how things got to the way it is today

4.    OT is highly valued by Jesus and the Apostles

How many times the NT writers base/quote their arguments to the OT?

1/3 of the NT quotes the OT (that means 77% + roughly 7.67% = almost 85% of the bible is OT!)

 

 

Why Does the NT Value the OT?

 

1.     The OT continues to be God's means of spiritual enlightening

(2 Peter 1:1-21)

2.     The OT continues to be God's instruments of salvation and sanctification, leading to effective service

(2 Tim 3:14-17)

Right Motivations to Study the Bible

The author of Psalm 119 talks about his love for the Bible which is also known as the Law:

Psalms 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened [revived] me.

Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalms 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

The Psalmist didn't even have most of the Bible completed when he spoke about God's word being so amazing. He probably only had the first five books of the Bible, the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. How much more are we blessed having the whole counsel of God available to us now!

The Bible is the only book in the world where the Author is present while the reader is reading it no matter where they are. This is interesting as many people doubt that the Bible can be read properly by mere lay people but that is the role of the Holy Spirit - to guide the reader.

Here are some right motivations to study the Bible.

1. Spending time with God at a personal level.
   From Psalm 119, it is revealed that God HELPS us by opening our eyes verse 18, giving understanding v27,34,73, teaching us v12,26,33.
   
   GOD MINISTERS to us through the Bible by using it to comfort us v52,82, revive us v50,93, strengthen us v92, give us peace v165, and a catch all, he - helps us v175.
   
   OUR RESPONSE is to love God v47,48,97, delight in God v16,24, believe God v42,43, long for God v20,40, rejoice in God v14,111, fear (respect or revere) God v120,161, cling to God v31, and give thanks to God v162,164.
   
   Basically, the Bible is not just a handbook but a self revelation of God. We are to look for God in the Bible, not to find things for ourselves per se. It is in the meeting with God that we are able to change. We cannot just learn God's requirement and meet them on our own. We all fail miserably at meeting His standard. It is getting to meet with God through the Bible that we can change. eg Moses met with God and was changed.
   
   
2. Study the Bible to be transformed by God
   2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
   
   The Bible teaches us what is right (doctrine), what is wrong (reproof), how to make things right (correction), and how to keep it right (instruction in righteousness).