Bibledoorajar studies how the King prepared to take the throne

Why was it that God awarded so much majesty to a very young Solomon (early twenties)--more than to any other king? Before he assumed the throne, Solomon, with a contingent, went to Gibeon to the tabernacle of Moses. He sought God there and offered ONE THOUSAND burnt offerings on the brazen altar. These well thought out actions show how Solomon humbled himself before his God completely according to the Mosaic covenant. God appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon and told him to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of how to govern the people of Israel. God granted Solomon's request and also lavished him with riches, wealth and honor. But this experience with God was not enough for Solomon. He then went to Jerusalem to the tabernacle his father, David, had established and to which David had brought back the Ark. There in the presence of God (at Ark), Solomon VOLUNTARILY offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Whether required by law or from the heart, Solomon made his personal redemption and proper place with God sure before he assumed the throne and before he built God's future dwelling place. Not every royal had demonstrated such interest in spiritual matters and God could not have helped but be pleased with this king and his devotion. God reveals his secrets to the humble, for a contrite heart is his desire and He will not reject a repentant heart (Ps. 51:17). 

     The queen was greatly impressed with how Solomon, the master builder, had mobilized resources to complete his tasks. We all enjoy and admire people who can get things done. Solomon knew exactly where the treasures were that he needed to be able to build the House of God and he never gave up the vision of seeing the House filled with the glory of God.

     In the fulness of time, Jesus humbled Himself before God and left His lofty estate to come to earth. Once here, He maintained a posture--"not as I will, but as Thou wilt". Jesus balanced the sovereignty of God with His love. Ad He did so VOLUNTARILY! Thus, we seek to follow the example of the greater son, Jesus, who dims the glory and splendor of Solomon. He leads us to always exalt the Father who so lovingly extends His grace to us. Rich Mullins penned (1988) his exaltation this way: "Our God is an awesome God; He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power and love. Our God is an awesome God!" The Word says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must stay in balance. Yes, His love is great, but it is not cheap, and He demands our exaltation. Even the heathen gentile Queen of Sheba understood that as great as Solomon was, it was all about his God and she responded appropriately.

Bibledoorajar joins with the Queen in praising God for His Greatness

     In 1748, George Frideric Handel wrote his oratorio, Solomon. One movement is called "the entrance of the Queen of Sheba." It is majestic in nature and I still love it when brides choose to include it in wedding entrances. But as regal as her entrance was, when the queen saw the king in all of his glory her spiritual nature was moved. The account says she gave God praise for taking such delight in Solomon and for placing him on the throne. There was no greater throne on earth. It was unique. It was made of ivory and there were six steps up to it. A lion guarded each side of the steps and the footstool was made of gold. If you have a chance, do what I did recently, listen to this section of Handel's piece and let your imagination go. Solomon took the many possessions that God had given him and used them to glorify God. A multifaceted Personality, Solomon had a royal mission and a good name. One could say he was a vessel filled with valuable content. His wisdom was beyond description, perfectly summing up ALL matters. But most importantly, he was God's friend. When the nations came to him, he spread the good news  of the God of Universe. This was the amazing news the Queen of Sheba heard. Some (believers in Ethiopia among others)  say she converted and took the faith back to her own country.
     The queen was impressed with how Solomon had caused the name of his God to be famous. Solomon had built the temple for the name of the Lord so that His name would be sanctified in the earth. The queen had known heathen kings and queens who had built temples for their gods, but Solomon had built a temple for a God claiming to be the one true One. And, she was moved to give Him praise when she saw the works of His hands. Remember God had required a place for His name (Deut. 12, 16). He desired the following from His O.T. people: 1) temple worship, 2) offerings, sacrifices, tithes, contributions, vows and choice gifts, 3) eating before Him and finding joy in whatever was undertaken, adults and children alike, and, 4) obedience so things might go well.
     Solomon built the temple on the threshing floor of a man named Ornan on the top of Mt. Moriah. God had appeared to Solomon's father, David, who was consumed with the thought of building a temple for Him, on that very floor. It was after David had committed the terrible mistake of counting his strength (numbering the people) without following God's redemptive plan (Ex. 30). So, here on the floor, David lamented his terrible oversight which had brought on a severe plague. God commanded David to build an altar there and to make a sacrifice. So, David purchased the floor and oxen from Ornan for 50 shekels of silver (the redemption money) and made the sacrifice. The plague lifted. Then David purchased the whole site for 600 shekels of gold. (And who says the temple mount has never belonged to the Israelis?)  The temple would be built on redemption ground! The plan and the design of the temple was given to David in a vision and included every detail. David was told he could not build the temple because he was a man of war, but he presented the plans to Solomon, a man of peace and a master builder. David provided his son with many resources with which to build and with an abundance of skilled workers.
     In the fulness of time, Jesus, God's son, came to earth to bring the eternal temple of God to all men. It is being built on redemption ground. Jesus is a man of peace and is a master builder, anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power (Acts 10:38). His Father has given him many resources and  skilled workman to complete the work. If David was pleased with his son, Solomon, just look how pleased our heavenly Father is with Jesus:
      "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. About the Son, He says, YOUR THRONE, O GOD, WILL LAST FOREVER AND EVER, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM." Heb. 2:3-4, 8
     It's humbling to think that God loved us enough to make it possible for us to make the grand entrance into the eternal throne room. I, for one, am VERY IMPRESSED and He has ALL of my praises.

Bibledoorajar observes the Queen of Sheba enter the peaceful kingdom of Solomon

     Josephus, in his history of the Jews (circa 90 A.D.), wrote of the queen's visit to Solomon's courts. The historian described the queen as being very bright and inquisitive by nature. Solomon was so famous that the queen heard reports of his virtue every day. It was these reports and her inquisitive nature that induced her to visit. She particularly liked philosophy and proposed to test Solomon on questions of great difficulty which demanded understanding of hidden meanings. This sounds just like my Jesus who was always amazing (and confounding) people with His deep understanding of things spiritual and secular. Josephus said that the queen asked Solomon questions in "multitude and grandeur".
     The queen had no fear of visiting Solomon's kingdom because it was so peaceful. The very last enemies of Israel had been conquered and Solomon had a relationship with the God of the Universe. Everything about Solomon and his kingdom at the time of her visit fit the meaning of his name ("peaceful"). Fame with nothing lacking and yet Solomon was still virtuous! The queen was wise indeed to load a caravan and set out to meet him. Here is the way her arrival is recorded in 1 Kings 10:2: "And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart".  Solomon was able to answer all of the questions she had on her mind. Nothing was too difficult for him and he knew all of the hidden deeper meanings. What she had previously wondered about---should she believe?--proved to be true. Now there was absolutely no reason to doubt. Solomon was more than she had expected. He was so splendid that the queen said that what she had previously heard about him was not even half of what she saw and heard once she was with him in person. There was nothing the queen desired that he did not generously bestow on her.
     The queen presents a challenge for us. Do we approach our King with incense (prayer) and gifts of joy and express to Him how wonderful it is to be in His presence? Do we commune with Him and ask Him about the deep mysteries of God's kingdom? Do we believe nothing is too difficult for Him? Paul says that Jesus is the pattern Son who provides answers to all our questions so that all our doubts vanish.
That's what he did for the Samaritan lady. Jesus has all the resources of heaven available to help those of us who believe to succeed. We are continually reminded that He is much, much more than we expected. He opens our eyes to the right philosophy of life. Loving Him, we enjoy hearing reports of His greatness every day and He never ceases to amaze us. Such amazement leads to joy and that joy becomes our strength to continue the journey. Gather up your gifts; go see the King! Praise Him!

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."   Ps. 16:11

Bibledoorajar opens as Sheba begins her journey to see the King

     The camera glitch has been resolved and may I present Mrs. Jeremy Blanks (Christa) posing as the Queen of Sheba. She really looks happy doesn't she? Christa travels some distance to learn more about her King and to worship with other seekers. Thanks Christa, for making the effort. Some wouldn't do that you know and that makes you an inspiration.
     Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King, but first let's think more about the Queen's journey. Archaeologists think they have found the site where she held court in modern Yemen. The excavation work is in progress now. Wouldn't it be special if they found some archaeological evidence of her visit with the king of kings? It might be said that the Queen is not only famous for testing him and documenting his glory for others, but also for having traveled from the ends of the earth (1400 miles) to do so. I am on just such a journey that is taking me from this earth to a destination far away. The sites I will behold when I arrive will be worth every bit of the travel time. Do you feel the same way? To travel 1400 miles at 20 miles a day by camel, no matter what the royal accoutrements, was to be highly motivated. It would have been a good six months after leaving home when the Queen caught her first glimpse of the man she really, really wanted to meet. Having personally traversed the deserts in that part of the world, some on a camel, I know her desire to meet him was great! She knew success herself, what with being a Queen, but the glory she sought was much greater than she possessed.
     The Queen had learned about the King's glory from others, probably traders from her country who, upon their return, spoke with her about how Solomon dealt with people. He was in the process of building a great kingdom. He employed many carpenters, masons and craftsmen in his service and they would have needed the best materials from around the known world. The traders spoke of how wisely Solomon administered this project---always wisely, always calmly, but always clearly. He knew what he wanted and he had the power to get it. Such power and wisdom was astounding to hear about. So it was with the Samaritan lady. When Jesus wisely knew that not only was she not married but that she had had five husbands, the lady was blown away! Any stranger who knew that about her had to be someone very unique and special indeed--and it was worth knowing more about the gift he was willing to give.
     The Queen had learned that the king's kingdom was the most prosperous ever known to man. I find it wonderful that the King of Glory is building the most prosperous kingdom ever. When we get there I can hear us all speaking at once, look, look, look! Already, the gifts He shares through the Holy Spirit are astounding. Join with me this week in expressing to Him just how much we love being a part of His kingdom. Let's pray its' borders and glory will be extended. Let's do all we can to help make that happen. This is how Solomon's Dad expressed his love of the kingdom:
      "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (Psalm 84)
And this is what Jesus said:
       "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."