When we think of Ethiopia we tend to remember the horrible famine of the 80’s, a musical rendition of “We are the World,” and some place in Africa that is brown and dusty. I can assure you Ethiopia is way beyond this picture. And in fact, in Solomon’s time it was a place of exceeding and extraordinary wealth, known not for corruption but for the extravagant generosity of its Queen.
Queen Sheba had heard of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom but she wasn’t sure if it was just hearsay. She went and checked things out for herself, bringing to Solomon the most difficult and challenging problems. He answered wisely to them all.
And when she looked around, she saw everything done with exorbitant wealth. Gold everywhere, abundant food and provision, royally dressed attendants and more. She was blown away.
“She said to the king. “The report I heard in my own country about your words and about your wisdom is true. But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard. How happy are your men. How happy are tehse servants of yours, who always stand in your presence hearing your wisdom. May Yahweh your God be praised! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:6-9).
And this is just it. She saw his wealth and wisdom as it says “fame connected with the name of Yahweh” (1 Kings 10:1). It wasn’t just Solomon she saw but Solomon as a man blessed by Yahweh.
And this brings us to the point. When we are walking fully with the Lord the lives of those around us will be blessed. And should be blessed. Not only that but it isn’t that they will just see us, but they will see that the hand of the Lord is upon us. And they too will praise him for what they see.
