One Greater than Solomon

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This sermon is based on the biblical story of the Queen of Sheba coming to visit king Solomon, including the words of Jesus as He compares her to the Jewish leaders of His day.

Written Excerpts:

Luke 11:31 ^(NKJV) The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Introduction:

Have you ever had the privilege of traveling somewhere and seeing some great sight that you were anxious to tell someone about? Think of some of the places you’ve been. Which place, or which sight made the greatest impression on you?

Our sermon today is about someone who had no doubt seen a lot of magnificent places and many wonderful things, but was totally astounded by what she saw when she visited the king of Israel.

If you have read through the Gospels even one time, you probably have noticed the conflicts that Jesus had with the religious rulers and religious elite in His time. Jesus was constantly battling against the entrenched ideas that had been firmly established in the religious status quo for quite some time. One of the ironic situations in those days was the pride and arrogance that the Jewish rulers had regarding their spiritual heritage and the supposed compliance with the law of God, yet they were strongly opposed to the kind of genuine spiritual life that Jesus was emphasizing.

There were times when Jesus would use some of the most unlikely people as prime examples of God-seekers and God-followers so it would grab the attention of His hearers. In the story of the Good Samaritan, it was a “despised Samaritan” who actually is portrayed as the model example of love in the story. This must have truly irritated some of the listeners. In the text we are considering today we see a similar scenario presented when Jesus speaks about the Queen of Sheba. In this case, He’s not only talking about a Gentile (heathen), but He’s also speaking about a Gentile woman. And He is portraying her is a positive light in comparison to the attitudes and actions of the current religious leaders.

Let’s review these events and comments in order to grasp the significance of Jesus’ warning to people back then and apply it to our own lives. As we review this story we want to look at the context of the original event in the O.T., the context of the event in the N.T. and finally to make application to our lives today.

I.    The OT story of the Queen and Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:1-12; 1 Kings 10:1-13.

Sheba – At southern tip of Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia) where the current country of Yemen is located. Which means she traveled 1,400-1,500 miles. She probably came on trade mission, but obviously to also find out for herself what she had been told about Solomon.

She presents questions (“riddles”) about all her heart desired to know. Some suggest her questions included such deep questions regarding the meaning of life/death and the wonders of nature.

(v. 3, 6) His wisdom completely astonishes her. See also 2 Chron. 9:22-23 ^(NKJV) So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

She not only gets answers to all the “hard questions,” but she also witnesses first-hand the lavish buildings (palace, and temple), servants, etc. (vv. 3-4). Upon hearing and witnessing what she did, we are told “there was no more spirit in her.” Literally, “breathless.”

She gave him “120 talents of gold…” (Only part of her gifts)

1 talent = 65-75 pounds. 120x70 pounds = 8,400 pounds = 134,400 ounces. Today’s gold value = $1,272/ounce. 134,400 ounces x $1,272 = very near 171 million in gold alone

This was just one trade deal Solomon made. 1 Kings 9 talks about Hiram, the king of Tyre, also sending Solomon 120 talents of gold (8,400 pounds).

3:8-9 describes 600 talents (42,000 pounds) of gold in the holy of holies. ($854.8 million).

9:13 describes 666 talents (46,620 pounds) of gold brought annually to Solomon for tribute (taxes). ($948.8 million)

The queen responds with highest praise, not only for Solomon, but for the Lord God.

2 Chronicles 9:5-8 ^(NKJV) Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness."

II.  The NT story of Jesus and the Religious Rulers.

Luke 11:29-32 (NKJV) And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 

Start by going back to v. 16 “Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.”

Compare: Matthew 12:38-42 ^(NKJV) Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Luke does not mention the “three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish…” which Matthew mentions. Matthew’s purpose obviously was to tie the “sign” also to the resurrection. Both Matthew and Luke focus on the fact that Jonah’s preaching bore fruit in repentance, so those men will testify and condemn the Jews for their lack of repentance.

The “sign” is the fact that people in the past have repented and worshiped when confronted with the facts of God’s greatness. So, “What excuse do you have?”

(Hard Sayings of the Bible) External signs might have been necessary [in the OT] to convince a heathen Egyptian [like Pharaoh] or an apostate king of Israel [like Ahab], but why should they be necessary for custodians and teachers of the law of the true God? They should have been able to decide without the aid of signs whether Jesus' teaching was true or not, whether it was in line or not with the Law and the Prophets.

The Pharisees mentioned in this incident may have wanted a sign that would compel belief, but can genuine belief ever be compelled? 

It seems that these leaders are asking for Jesus to do something that would force them to abandon their obstinate resistance to His message and ministry. And Jesus is simply saying that the amount of light and knowledge they had already received should have produced genuine repentance in their hearts.

It is notable that Jesus refers to two cases here where Gentiles are depicted as responding favorably. This case with the Queen of Sheba includes the further distinction that she was a woman besides being a Gentile. There were multiple times in the Gospels when Jesus pointed out the greater faith that was found in Gentiles compared to Jews.

“Greater than Solomon” – the word “greater” is not in the masculine form as expected to agree with “Solomon.” 

It is in neuter form: rather than “Someone” greater, but “something” greater; meaning all that Jesus was and did and represented, including the kingdom of God.

The person of Jesus is greater. The message of Jesus is greater. The wealth of Jesus is greater. The wisdom of Jesus is greater. The preaching of Jesus is greater. The sacrifice of Jesus is greater. The grace of Jesus is greater. Everything about Jesus is greater than Solomon, Jonah, and every other biblical or spiritual figure.

III. The Spiritual Application for You and Me.

If the Queen of Sheba says, “WOW” in regards to Solomon, then how much more should we experience the “WOW” when we consider all the things that are true about our Savior, our Redeemer, our Master and our King? Jesus was indicating to the Jews that their response should be greater than Nineveh’s and the Queen of Sheba. And so should ours.

There are people today (and it may include some of us sitting here) who keep seeking and almost demanding that God do something to prove Himself to them (show them a sign) so they can believe in Him and become a dedicated follower. But, as Jesus indicated in his answer to the Jews that day, what has already been done and reported regarding the life and ministry of Jesus is more than enough to satisfy a seeking heart. 

It’s more than enough information to satisfy a longing heart if we will just accept it and trust Him without reservation.

These Jews had lived and seen the miracles and teachings of Jesus, yet they refused to accept Him. 

Conclusion:

Do we recognize how great our God is? Do we recognize how great God’s Son is? Greater than Jonah…  Greater than Solomon…

Will we be embarrassed by the lack of faith, enthusiasm, etc. we have shown regarding the awesome privileges of grace we have available to us?

Will we be embarrassed by how those with lesser privileges and knowledge have responded to God’s grace compared to our response?

Will we be embarrassed by their response to God’s will compared to ours?

Let’s stand together to sing our closing song.

I Know I Love Thee Better, Lord