Solomon and Reputation

Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10: 9

"Your reputation precedes you." This is a common phrase when we meet someone for the first time. It is often said out of respect or to simply compliment a stranger. When the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon, she came due to what she had heard of his reputation. The word had traveled down from Israel in Ethiopia in Eastern Africa that Solomon was very wise. It was of such great interest that the Queen of Sheba just had to go and investigate this wise king. When this distant queen arrived and witnessed what she heard, she declared, “It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and thy wisdom” (cf. 1 Kings 10:6).

We can learn from the wisdom of King Solomon. The Queen recognized that there was something remarkable in Israel, and, when she arrived, she recounted that it was even more than she expected (cf. v7). She added that his wisdom influenced those who stood with men and served him (cf. v.8). Does our reputation as New Testament Christians go before us? Do your friends, coworkers, classmates know you for your Godly wisdom? Are the members of our household who stand with us benefited by the wisdom we have in the Lord? The Lord's people have had a reputation for many years as people that are of the Book. This wisdom is not dispensed without Bible study. We must come to study as students, not chasing rabbits, but searching the Scriptures. We must be faithful in not only our regular meeting times of study but studies in our own homes. This is how we will grow in wisdom: we spend time with the King.

Christians serve a much greater and wiser king. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory (cf. Isa 6:3)." We have a role in getting the news of His reputation and acts to the people around us. We are to go, teach, baptize, and teach (cf. Matt. 28:19). We are to be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15). The wisdom of the Lord and King Jesus is deposited in His church. Will the world come to see for themselves the wisdom of the Lord that they heard about from you?

Grace and Peace,

Ryan

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