What a vast amount of wealth the queen of Sheba brought to Solomon! Does it not make us think of how we should present our all to the Lord? It says in Romans 12:11I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1): “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” If the love of Christ truly constrains our hearts, we cannot give less than all.
“When the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, 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, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up io the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king. It was a true report that I heard in in mine own land of thine acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.” (verses 4-7.)
The order of things which the queen of Sheba observed here is very intesting. First she spoke of Solomon’s wisdom. This is the first thing with us too, when we see the Word of God as the truth, and the full revelation of God’s mind. What a revelation this is! Then she saw the house Solomon had built, the expression of that wisdom and of what he had done. Thus we see the Lord Jesus as the expression of the wisdom of God, and the cross as the place where all this is manifested. Moreover this wisdom of God is displayed in and through the Church (Eph. 3:1010To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10)), which is the spiritual temple. (Eph. 2:20-2220And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20‑22).)
The next thing the queen of Sheba noticed was the meat of Solomon’s table and the sitting (not the service) of his servants. One likes to apply this to the Lord’s table where we see worship in its right place — before service. When we have searched the Word of God, and have learned the truth of what the Church is, and the cost to Him of this “holy temple,” it leads to an exercise as to where we can express this truth. How blessed to sit at His table, as worshipers, to remember Him in His death—precious privilege! After this the queen of Sheba saw the atteance, or service, of Solomon’s ministers. Service is in its proper place here — after worship. There are many who serve the Lord with the thought of obtaining His favor in this way, but He would have us at liberty in His presence as worshipers, before serving Him. He wants the service of a worshiping heart.
The queen of Sheba then noticed the apparel of these men who served Solomon, for it is lovely to see service in a becoming, humble and sincere spirit. Even a sister can serve in her sphere, wearing “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:44But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:4). There is so much of bustling self-importance in our day, yet this is so unbecoming to those who serve the One who was “meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29). May the Lord keep us humble, that everything about us, even our apparel, may mark us out as those who “serve the Lord Christ.”
Then there were the cupbearers the ones who ministered joy to Solomon. This may not be service exactly, but even one on a sick bed, showing the spirit of Christ, or one quietly walking in the truth, can give joy to the heart of the Lord.
ML 02/12/1956