The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon has great symbolic significance in the biblical story. God had promised to Abraham that he would make his name great. It is implied that this promise would carry on to his descendants. So, throughout the biblical narrative we see small people with a big blessing on their life rising up to positions of great influence. We saw this with Joseph, we saw it with David and we see it with Daniel too. Solomon didn’t take the same journey as these other men (maybe things would have turned out differently if he had) but in him we get a taste of the fulfilment of Israel’s calling. God had called his people to be ‘a light to nations’. It was predicted that, as God’s light shines through his people, so people will come to the light (Isaiah 60:3). This is what we see in the visit of the Queen of Sheba. As I noted yesterday it was at this time that Solomon was beginning to get diverted by his own pursuit of greatness, but, for all his distorted priorities, God was still working. God wants you to shine as a light. He wants your love, kindness and wisdom to shine so that people feel that they can trust you and depend on you. He wants to grow you into the tree that Jesus describes in the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) that will give shade and shelter to many.
Pray that God will give you opportunities to shine in love, care and wisdom today.
Read 1 Kings 10:1-13
