A Shadow Cast in the Midst of Glory

This passage covers the Queen of Sheba, who heard of Solomon's wisdom and fame and traveled a long way to visit Jerusalem. The queen was deeply moved by the well-ordered national system under Solomon's rule and by his wisdom; she praised God and brought enormous gifts. This shows that Solomon's life, made by God's grace, became a channel that revealed God's glory even to the Gentiles.

Behind this glorious scene, however, it comes to light that Solomon was walking the path of compromise, taking God's commands lightly, trading with Gentiles and even handing over land. God did not stop Solomon at once when he sinned but left him alone, both out of a heart of love that waited for him to repent and return, and in order to draw, through his life, those who would come to God. We look back on whether, though we have already received much grace, we still demand that God show us what his will is, or pursue worldly success and prosperity and lose sight of God.

This passage tells us that, to connect the grace we have already received with the blessing of salvation, we must turn the direction of our lives completely around and live in obedience to God's commands. What question is it putting to us?