MORE THAN SOLOMON
Geoffrey Bailey
1 Kings 10: 1-6; 8,9; 2 Corinthians 12: 1-5
I am sure the events of this week [January 1994] would draw us together in bonds of affection as our hearts are moved by the way the Lord is exercising His prerogative in relation to one and another and particularly in relation to our beloved brother now with Him.
I think the weekly occasion tor ministry was one when we could always rely upon him to give a touch to our hearts and we have to proceed now as it were, in new circumstances - not that any individual, of course, is indispensable tor we have the Lord and He moves amongst His people and gives the word. I think those here will know what is meant when I say that we are entering a new arrangement of things without one who has been with us for so long, so that such occasions perhaps will be different from what has been before, an occasion where a simple impression which comes to us has to be brought forward and perhaps the simpler the better, because what does come to us is not of natural ability, nor natural thought but some touch, very often imparted at the Supper. Just a word, just a thought which is given expression to, and which we hold on to, which may not seem much at the time but which I think we find in experience of growing with us into something more definite.
I thought of this scripture particularly because it referred to the fame of Solomon whom, though very great, speaks to our affections of our Lord Jesus, as Jesus says "more than Solomon is here", Matt 12: 42. The fame of Solomon was something which exceedingly surpassed anything else in that day. It must have been a most magnificent and regal arrangement that Solomon ruled over, such that it attracted this person, the Queen of Sheba, to behold it for herself. The fame of the Lord Jesus is something which will fill the day to come. We sometimes say it must fill all the earth, but it is a fame too that will fill heaven, and indeed it does.
Solomon was but a foreshadowing of all that would be and what an arrangement it was, a house, and food and servants and the order, including cupbearers. What an arrangement of perfection and this Queen comes to see it for herself, and she is impressed. I think that we shall be impressed beyond measure when we see the Lord Jesus Himself. There is no doubt that it will far exceed anything known here, far exceed anything that is related for us in this passage. But the fame of Solomon was such that the scripture gives some indication as to the features which marked that fame, Solomon's wisdom. Think of the knowledge that he had and how it impressed the people. The child, how it was brought to him, it says - All Israel heard and they understood that God had given Solomon wisdom (see 1 Kings 3: 27,28). Then the house that he had built, and the food at his table, the excellence that entered into all that with which he surrounded himself.
Then it speaks about the deportment of his servants and the order of service and that seems to feature very largely in the impression that the queen of Sheba could see, because she says "Happy are thy men! happy are these thy servants, who stand continually before thee, who hear thy wisdom!". I think that we should represent something of this ability to rise above the sorrows of the pathway, real as they are. I do not minimise them at all but there is resource with the believer - we often quote the scripture that "ye be not grieved even as also the rest who have no hope". What do we have if it is not the happiness secure for us in the glory, in the excellence of what He sets on? "Happy are these thy servants who stand continually before thee, who hear thy wisdom", so that in the midst of sorrow we can rejoice in what has been secured, because we know that as absent they are with the Lord; such persons are absent from the body, but immediately present with the Lord. What a wonderful prospect that is and how it has energised saints through the ages. That in itself is sufficient to bring in the happiness which we can proceed in, in a world which is marked by depravity and declining standards, all that line of things, but there is elevation here. It speaks of the ascent by which they went up. How attractive it is and how it should move us in relation to our outlook and our appreciation of what is laid up in store.
These passages of course describe for us an earthly scene and go on in result to blessing Jehovah "who delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel! Because Jehovah loves Israel for ever". God loves His people, He loves them still and God, as we know, sympathises; there are priestly sympathies. How thankful we should be to have such a provision.
I read this passage in Corinthians because I think it bears, in my mind at least, some comparison with what we have read in Kings. The apostle was speaking of an experience which he had had and he was relating it to these saints in Corinth and he is speaking of conditions which are not suitable for this earthly scene, not suitable for our present condition. He evidently had seen and experienced something of the greatness and glory of Christ and it characterised his whole ministry. We have some idea of scenes and conditions of suffering, but he "heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter", not suitable to this world and our mortal condition. It gives us some indication, I believe, that there is that which is before us which far exceeds anything of Solomonic glory; it is that which is laid up in the heavens, which is prepared for us, prepared for us by none other than the Christ Himself.
I just thought that the fame of Solomon would give us some lead into the excellencies of the Christ in the scene where He is and where Paul would lead us on to in this experience that he relates and it might lift our hearts and cause us to be, in a measure, comforted and rejoicing. May it be so, for His Name's sake.
EDINBURGH
18 January 1994