Today’s Devotion
Topic: Practical Wisdom
(Self Assessment 179)
Part 2
Background:
Last week we discussed how the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame and travelled to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions.
Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones— she had come to Solomon to talk with him about all she had on her mind.
By divine providence, king Solomon was able to answer all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.
But has the queen of Sheba anymore questions? Is she satisfied with every answer Solomon has shared with her? Will she consider these answers enough grounds to conclude that Solomon is wise? Let’s delve deep into today’s Bible study for answers to these and more.
Text: 2 Chron 9: 3- 8
3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.
5 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.6 But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.!
7 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” Amen
Questions:
1. Kindly read verses 3- 4 again:
i) If the queen of Sheba had hard questions for Solomon – the very reason why she had come all the way to see him – how did the palace he had built, the food on his table, and the seating of his officials etc matter in relation to those questions?
ii) What does the above teach us about practical wisdom, and what will be your answer to anyone who claims to have wisdom but does not appropriate his/ her life as such?
2. How did the queen confirm that God actually did bless Solomon with wisdom and knowledge such as no man before or after him has ever had? (Please read verses 5- 6).
3. What do you envisage to be the benefit of a person’s wisdom to those around him? In other words, why did the queen of Sheba declare in verse 7, how happy Solomon’s people might be?
4. Solomon’s incredible wisdom induced in the queen praise for our God although she was a foreigner. Don’t you think the usage of our gifts and talents must lead all men to acknowledge our God in heaven who is the source of it all? How come we don’t see that often these days?
5. According to verse 8:
i) What did the queen observe as the reason why the Lord blessed Solomon with wisdom, and for what purpose?
ii) Would it not be for a similar reason and purpose that the Lord has blessed each of us with the many gifts that we see? Why are we not seeing a lot of justice and righteousness in our days, although we are so gifted in diverse ways?
6. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/ Facebook). We learn a great deal from the answers you share.
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