NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
By W. N. GLENN
The Queen of Sheba Visits King Solomon.
THE importance of this royal interview is emphasized by the Saviour, as recorded in Matt. 12:42: "The queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here." This recognition and application by the great Teacher, stamps the transaction as a lesson of no small moment. It lays great responsibility upon those who receive a knowledge of the truths of the gospel, and refers directly to the Judgment, where, without fail, an account will have to be rendered whether his word has been received or rejected; and those who do receive it will be witnesses against those who do not. THERE was an extensive trade between Jerusalem and the then rich country of the South, and the merchants had no doubt spread glowing accounts of the wisdom and grandeur of the Hebrew king. But in all probability, judging from the language of verse 1, that which most attracted the notice of the queen was the fact that the God of Israel was accredited with directly imparting this distinction to their king. Hence her tedious and expensive journey of a thousand miles or more in order to hear and test his wisdom for herself. That she was actuated by a spirit of earnestness, and not mere curiosity, is indicated in the statement that "Solomon told her all her questions." The answers were really from the Lord, for it is said "there was not anything hid from the king which he told her not;" and the Lord does not lend his wisdom or power to gratify idle curiosity. See Luke 23:8, 9, etc. WE have the testimony of the Lord that she came to hear wisdom; and we have the inspired record that her desire was fully granted. James says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." Chap. 1:3. This woman not only desired wisdom, but she was willing to employ every means in her power of obtaining it. It must not be supposed that God will grant wisdom to those who are unwilling to use their own utmost endeavors to obtain it. They who ignore God's word—his acknowledged medium of imparting knowledge—have no warrant in expecting a miraculous gift of wisdom. There is a class of people in these days who set aside the Lord's revealed will, and claim to get a superior wisdom direct from Heaven. This is sheer presumption; it is an attempt to affect wisdom in a lazy, cheap manner; and such seekers have no reason to complain should deception and darkness be allowed to overtake them. See 2 Thess. 2:10-12. "THE half was not told me." The fame that is strictly of this world—of its wonderful persons, places, and things—is usually exaggerated,631especially by interested parties. But such never can be the case with the wisdom of God or the glories of his kingdom. No human tongue can tell a tithe of the truth in praise of these. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9. He that overcometh will be enabled to repeat, in the new earth, the words of Sheba's queen, "It was a true report that I heard"—"behold, the half was not told me." IN addition to the queen's expression of extreme satisfaction with the attainments of her gifted host, her hearty appreciation of the privilege of such an interview is worthy of note. She deemed even the servants of his household happy on account of their access to such a fund of knowledge. Here is a lesson for this highly favored age, and especially for those who acknowledge and profess to believe the Bible. A greater than Solomon is with us by his word and Spirit, both of which are accessible to any earnest seeker after true wisdom. Are the privileges of this generation appreciated? Is every one who has access to the Scripture treasury, no matter how humble his lot, happy at the thought of having it "continually" within reach? If not, if all this store of Heaven-sent knowledge, consolation, and encouragement be carelessly neglected till probation ends, and the soul fail to grasp and apply the much needed instruction, there is great danger with us also, that "the queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and condemn it." THE frank acknowledgment of the God of Israel, and the keen discernment of the duty of Solomon as the custodian of such wisdom, is happily expressed: "Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighteth 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." Solomon's wisdom was not solely for his own personal benefit or aggrandizement; it was given in consideration of God's love for his people, that they might be well governed. And this was just the reason assigned by Solomon for asking of the Lord "an understanding heart." See chap. 3:9. And this strong reminder that he was made king "to do judgment and justice," must have come home to the wise man as a timely reproof, and ready reflex of the wisdom he had just imparted. AS WITH Solomon, so with every recipient of wisdom from on high—it is given for the benefit of those who will accept it. God never inspired a man for a recluse, or for his individual benefit. Not one of the Bible writers labored for his own gain, and every prophet of the Lord was a servant of the people. Talents are put to use that the Lord, not the servant, may receive his own with usury. "Freely ye have received, freely give." W. N. GLENN.