Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Jesus said we should learn from this woman: –“The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:42). Jesus said we should learn from this woman: –“The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:42).

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word –She had heard of the wisdom of Solomon (even that it was from God), but was not content until she knew first- hand (1 Kings 10:1)  Perhaps heard from voyages of Solomon’s naval fleet or Arabians who had passed through Jerusalem –Perhaps what she heard was true; perhaps it was not true—she had to find out for herself –We must be careful not to accept blindly (without investigation) the word of others:  About matters that determine our eternal destiny  About someone else’s behavior, words, etc. –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word –She had heard of the wisdom of Solomon (even that it was from God), but was not content until she knew first- hand (1 Kings 10:1)  Perhaps heard from voyages of Solomon’s naval fleet or Arabians who had passed through Jerusalem –Perhaps what she heard was true; perhaps it was not true—she had to find out for herself –We must be careful not to accept blindly (without investigation) the word of others:  About matters that determine our eternal destiny  About someone else’s behavior, words, etc. –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom –Most believe she came from Southern Arabia  Likely a distance of 1,200-1,500 miles (each way)  Jesus said, “she came from the ends of the earth” –Journey made without any of our modern modes of travel—it would have taken weeks –How far will we go (even “out of our way”) to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom –Most believe she came from Southern Arabia  Likely a distance of 1,200-1,500 miles (each way)  Jesus said, “she came from the ends of the earth” –Journey made without any of our modern modes of travel—it would have taken weeks –How far will we go (even “out of our way”) to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom –She was a ruler of a country.  Traveled with a very great entourage & gifts  Her time was very valuable.  She likely had important affairs of state to manage. –She wisely chose to place her priorities properly in order to hear this wisdom for herself. –How much of our time do we give (of our “busy schedules”) to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom –She was a ruler of a country.  Traveled with a very great entourage & gifts  Her time was very valuable.  She likely had important affairs of state to manage. –She wisely chose to place her priorities properly in order to hear this wisdom for herself. –How much of our time do we give (of our “busy schedules”) to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked –Traveled a great distance at great personal expense to hear wisdom without an invitation –No one had to coerce her or promise her anything—she went of her own volition –How readily, willingly & selflessly do we go to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked –Traveled a great distance at great personal expense to hear wisdom without an invitation –No one had to coerce her or promise her anything—she went of her own volition –How readily, willingly & selflessly do we go to hear & do the wisdom of God? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind –She didn’t believe; came to test with riddles (v. 1, 6-7) –She probably came expecting to prove all reports false –She examined the matter with an open mind & changed her mind—not too stubborn to change when wrong –Do we approach, analyze & accept God’s wisdom with an open mind or do prejudices get in the way? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind –She didn’t believe; came to test with riddles (v. 1, 6-7) –She probably came expecting to prove all reports false –She examined the matter with an open mind & changed her mind—not too stubborn to change when wrong –Do we approach, analyze & accept God’s wisdom with an open mind or do prejudices get in the way? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test –She would not be gullible, accepting just anything (v. 1) –She put to the test—asking hard questions—to find truth –Do we “test all things” (1 Thess. 5:21), putting every doctrine and every practice to the test—accepting only ones validated and rejecting all that fail His standard? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test –She would not be gullible, accepting just anything (v. 1) –She put to the test—asking hard questions—to find truth –Do we “test all things” (1 Thess. 5:21), putting every doctrine and every practice to the test—accepting only ones validated and rejecting all that fail His standard? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder –She had questions. All were answered easily by wisdom. –After hearing & seeing, beside herself in amazement  Wisdom far exceeds expectations—“half not told” –Do we let the wisdom of God answer ALL matters? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder –She had questions. All were answered easily by wisdom. –After hearing & seeing, beside herself in amazement  Wisdom far exceeds expectations—“half not told” –Do we let the wisdom of God answer ALL matters? –How do we compare “in the judgment” with her?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving –For what she had seen, heard & received, she was more than willing to turn around and give of herself in return. –Do we? How do we compare in “judgment”? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving –For what she had seen, heard & received, she was more than willing to turn around and give of herself in return. –Do we? How do we compare in “judgment”?

Queen of Sheba: Lessons Learned Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving Found that true wisdom only comes from God –She gave God the credit for Solomon’s gifts/abilities. –Do we? How do we compare in “judgment”? Not willing to accept another person’s word Went to great lengths to hear wisdom Took all the time necessary to hear wisdom Sought wisdom without being asked Although skeptical, still came with an open mind Put the reports that had been heard to the test Listened to wisdom for all questions in wonder Having found wisdom, filled with thanks-giving Found that true wisdom only comes from God –She gave God the credit for Solomon’s gifts/abilities. –Do we? How do we compare in “judgment”?