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."