Solomon: Courage, Wisdom and Leadership Part 6

Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with difficult questions … when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. I Kings 10:1 

 

The queen of Sheba was a seeker. Seekers are all around but they are not always easy to spot. Sometimes they appear to rebel against God; other seekers seem negative and argumentative, yet others are simply lost and wandering souls. Seekers will often explore all areas of philosophy, religion, mysticism and drugs, searching for the meaning of life. Lost souls will turn over a lot of rocks searching for answers.  

 

In my youth, I was a big fan of the Christian singer Keith Green. Keith was saved after searching far and wide for enlightenment during the hippie era of the 1970s. He wrote the following words in a song from his first album. 

 

Your Love Broke Through 

 

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky 

All my hopes 

Would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why 

Until today, when You pulled away the clouds 

That hung like curtains on my eyes 

Well, I’ve been blind 

All these wasted years and I thought I was so wise 

But then You took me by surprise 

 

Like waking up from the longest dream 

How real it seemed 

Until Your love broke through 

I’ve been lost in a fantasy 

That blinded me 

Until Your love broke through 

 

All my life I’ve been searching for that crazy missing part 

And with one touch 

You just rolled away the stone that held my heart 

And now I see that the answer was as easy 

As just asking You in 

And I am so sure 

I could never doubt Your gentle touch again 

It’s like the power of the wind 

 

There is a consciousness of God born into every person. Some defiantly reject their consciousness of God and become hard and calloused, (Romans 1). But others continue to seek. 

 

As Christians, we are blessed when God uses us to point the seeker, by our words and deeds, toward the truth.  

 

When she (the queen of Sheba), came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her. I Kings 10:2-3 

 

The Queen of Sheba was a seeker and God used Solomon to open up the truth to her searching soul. However, we might falsely assume that Solomon’s influence was only in the words he spoke. His words were impactful but there was much more to it than just words. 

 

If we are to be true agents of influence and transformation, pointing others toward Jesus, it’s important to realize that everything we do and say, counts. 

 

Here are three principles from Solomon’s life about influencing others toward God. 

 

First, it was known to all people that Solomon gave God the credit for the blessings of his life. The Bible says, The queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord … Solomon didn’t take his blessings of wisdom, prosperity and power lightly. He gave God the credit. It was known by all that God was the supplier of all blessings toward Solomon and to the nation of Israel. 

 

At the dedication of the temple completed under Solomon’s leadership, Solomon encouraged the people by saying: Let your hearts therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments. I Kings 8:61. 

 

After spending time with Solomon, the queen didn’t praise Solomon for his greatness, she blessed God. The queen said Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. 

 

Secondly, your influence is enhanced or diminished by the order or chaos of your life. This is a bit of a touchy subject for some people. Yes, some aspects of our lives are beyond our control, I understand that for sure. For example, consider the period of total chaos that God allowed in the life of Job.  

 

But for the most part, the current state of our lives is the culmination of our many decisions and actions, along the way, both big and small. 

 

When it comes to leadership and influence, everything counts. The queen was influenced not just by Solomon’s words, but by the orderliness of his kingdom as well. The queen of Sheba considered her entire experience of sights and sound within the palace of Solomon as an indication of the blessings of God upon Solomon. It caused her heart to melt into humility and surrender to God. 

 

When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. I Kings 10:4. 

 

She had heard of Solomon’s greatness and the blessings of God upon him, but she didn’t believe it. When she witnessed the fulness of God’s blessing upon Solomon, her heart melted. 

 

The queen said: I did not believe the reports (about Solomon and his kingdom) until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told to me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity of the report which I heard. How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you … blessed be the Lord your God … I Kings 10:6-9 

 

Solomon summarized it this way: By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding, it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches, Proverbs 24.3. 

 

Thirdly, Solomon’s personal care, attention and listening heart produced massive influence toward all who interacted with him including the queen of Sheba. 

 

When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her. I Kings 10:2b,3. 

 

Solomon focused his attention upon the queen, listened intently with great empathy and insight, and answered all her questions. It’s one thing to listen with your ears, it’s another to listen with your heart. Solomon asked God for a listening heart of wisdom and understanding. God granted it to Solomon and Solomon used God’s gift to lead a seeker toward God. 

 

Father, may our words and actions point others toward You. Help us get our lives in order that we might be set apart for Your purposes, always prepared for every good work that You have for us to do. May our lives be a witness to the greatness of your kindness and blessings toward us. Amen!