I have been thinking alot about keeping the truths of chapters 1-3 in my head while we move on into the book of Ephesians. The context of the rest of the book is living a life worthy of the amazing blessings God has given to us, Gentiles after all, by making us part of his family and plan.
But the even harder idea to keep afloat is that he is writing to us as a church, not as individuals. The living Bible says in 3:10 and 11: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known....."
I wish we would have spent more time looking at the story of the Queen of Sheba during our study Tuesday, because the more I think of it the more I see it illustrate the principle of seeing God's wisdom through people.
Solomon's story begins in 1 Kings:3. At the beginning of his reign King Solomon went to God and offered 1000 burnt offerings on the alter. After that show of devotion God appeared to Solomon in a dream night and said, "Ask me for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon's reply was the essence of Wisdom already, but wisdom is what he asked God for. "I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
God was so pleased with this answer that he granted Solomon discernment and more. "I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."
And there was truly no one like Solomon. I'm going to skip over the next few chapters but you should read them. Solomon was amazing. Like so many Bible hero's he's remembered for his mistakes rather than for all he did right. So read over 4-9 if you're interested in the story, but I'm going to skip it here.
In chapter 10, the Queen of Sheba came. Now she was no schmoo herself. Head of a vast empire in Africa, she traveled many many miles to find him. She brought a caravan of camels with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones. She also was a great ruler. But she came "to test him with hard questions" 10:1 says, and "talked with him about all that she had on her heart."
10:3 says he answered all her questions: nothing was too hard for him. But verse 4 is the one I'm trying to get to. "When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the place he had built, 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."
She said, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 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. How happy your men must be. How happy your officials who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!"
Solomon made known the wisdom of God to the world. It was in his rule. It was in the management of his household and the food on his table. It was in his ability to answer tough questions about life. And it was so apparent to the world that a woman who lived thousands of miles away had to see it for herself. When she saw it she declared, "Praise to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel." God is here! She could see him. He was made manifest.
During the Exodus, the Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night were the manifestation of God. They could literally see He was still there. Here in I Kings Solomon is the manifestation of God. People could see that God was there. Today, the church is to be that in the world...the way people can see God, and as was true in Solomon's kingdom, it isn't a place, it's a people.
As we continue through the second part of Ephesians, the "practical" chapters, we need to have that thought in our heads. Maybe we won't even understand all the directions Paul has for the church. Maybe we'll understand perfectly but wonder why, or want to say, No.
We have to take it by faith, at some point, that the things God commands us to do as believers living supernaturally together are important because they allow people to see Him in our midst.
The Queen of Sheba heard God was living in Israel and came to meet him. How wonderful if the people of Polk City would hear it said of Lakeside, "God is there!" and would come to meet him.
That is the plan of God.
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