GOD’S QUEEN. THE APPLE OF HIS EYE
1 KINGS 10:1-11
1 Kings 10:1-5
10 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan — with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones — she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.
Someone is always watching you. They tell what you do. They
form opinions and pass them on to others. The bad and the good can spread like wildfire. We should live our lives for God so at least something good is said about our character. As the song said
“Let's Give Them Something to Talk About”.
Your testimony about Jesus has the power to change lives, provide
New directions and bring hope for tomorrow.
The testimony about Solomon spread throughout Israel and outside
Israel to other nations and countries. The Queen of Sheba is an
An excellent example of the effect of the power of a testimony.
The Queen of Sheba live in Ethiopia some 1600 miles from the
Promise land. When the Queen heard about Solomon’s relationship
with the Lord and his wisdom, she made the trip to come and check him out for herself. Not only did she come, but she brought a caravan of gold, precious stones, and spices for an offering.
The Queen probably understood the importance of a relationship with
The King of Israel his power and the fact that Jerusalem was near the
main trade route to the Mediterranean Sea.
THE POWER OF THE TESTIMONY
When she HEARD. When you serve the Lord, your reputation
precedes you. The word traveled by mouth to other countries.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Even those
who don’t know the Lord are affected by the work of the Lord. Your
Testimony has the power to get people moving in a different direction.
THE INTRIGUED OF THE TESTIMONY
We are naturally curious. When we hear about something unusual, we
are moved to find out more information. Israel had a long History
Of success in battle over their enemies due to their relationship with
Their Lord. Let me suggest that it was Solomon’s relationship with the Lord and his wisdom that intrigued the Queen the most.
THE TRAVEL OF THE TESTIMONY
Keep in mind that Ethiopia is 1600 miles from Jerusalem. By car at 60
Miles an hour is 27 hours. Assume 50 miles a day by camel is 32 days of travel. For a queen who was accustomed to luxury, this distance was quite a journey. I suggest that her reason for the journey was more than information but developing a relationship with Israel and the Lord. The Word of God knows no boundaries. What distance would you travel to learn about Jesus?
THE DRAWING OF THE TESTIMONY
No one can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Lord (John 6:44). God has a reason why the Queen of Sheba was included in this passage. He does not tell us here, but we can get some insight from
The New Testament.
Luke 11:31
31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
This is evidence that she accepted God’s commands and was obedient to them. She developed a heart for God.
The Queen of Sheba may represent the gaining of knowledge, wisdom, and salvation through the study of God’s Word. A characteristic every believer must have for a growing relationship
With the Lord.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE TESTIMONY
Any man/woman in Christ is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). I believe the transformation begins when God draws us to Jesus. The journey for
The queen began when she started her trip to Jerusalem. Her interest was changed from an interest in the world to an interest in the Lord. It is in the text;
1 Kings 10:6-8
The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.
When we study God’s Word we find that His wisdom far exceeds any
Knowledge we have in the world. God gives us insight into what is and
What will be in the future. No one knows what tomorrow will bring but
Lord who holds the future in His hands.
THE CONVICTION OF THE TESTIMONY
It is the job of every believer to proclaim the Word of God to all we come in contact with. The Word ought to draw us into a deeper study.
The Queen took time to meditate on what she heard and developed a
Number of significant questions that would guide her decision to
Accept the Jewish God as hers. Some historians believe she spent six
Months with Solomon before returning to Ethiopia.
As believers. We have to prepare ourselves for God’s service by
Digging deep into His Word.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Every believer ought to have some study time and study partners.
The Queen of Sheba came to study the Word of God with Solomon
1 Kings 10:1-2
10 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.
The study of the Word of God ought to lead us into deeper discussions. It is my belief that no study of God’s Word is complete
Without more questions. In other words, you cannot get to an end
Of studying God’s Word. Take a lesson from the queen;
1 Kings 10:8-9
8 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel.
The study of God’s Word will enlighten the mind and lead to the
Praise of the Lord.
It ought to give us joy to uncover the hidden secrets of the Scripture.
Our mind is too finite to understand the width and depth of God’s Word.
THE UNITY OF THE TESTIMONY
The Word of God ought to bring believers together. We should all be on the same page. The queen traveled 1600 miles to study with
Solomon.
1 Kings 10:9
Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."
The queen of Sheba understood love, justice, and righteousness. She
Was satisfied in the Lord. No nonbeliever will never understand God’s eternal love. It is foolishness to the world (1 Cor 2:14).
THE GRATEFULNESS OF THE TESTIMONY
We should always bring a sacrifice to the house of the Lord
As a show of our gratitude to His goodness.
1 Kings 10:10-12
10 And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11 (Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood and precious stones.
NIV
The Queen of Sheba was grateful for the knowledge she gained
From Solomon and for what eyes had seen and ears had heard.
GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU
The Queen of Sheba received more than money could buy, She
Received her salvation.
1 Kings 10:13
13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.
GOD TREASURES YOUR OFFERING
You will never know how God will use your offering or how it will be used to bring Him glory. Your offering is evidence of your love for the Lord.
1 Kings 10:11-13
(Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood and precious stones. 12 The king used the almugwood to make supports for the temple of the Lord and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.)
WE ARE THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE
We must know and understand that all believers are the apple of
God’s eye.
Zechariah 2:8-9
For this is what the Lord Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you — for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye — 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.
YOU OUGHT TO SAY IT TO THE WORLD
DON’T MESS WITH ME, I AM THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE