Solomon the Great

Today, Solomon receives a mysterious visitor from some 1,500 miles away (like from here to New York), a queen from the South, from what is today called Yemen and in the Bible is called the "Land of Cush", the Queen of Sheba. She's a fascinating figure. She shows up in the Quran (as Belquis) and even in the lore and legends behind Rastafarianism (for our Jamaican brothers and sisters).

What could motivate her to come so long a distance? Why would she "drag" this great caravan all the way from Yemen/Ethiopia through the desert to Jerusalem? And, in fact, what motivates people to do stuff like that? Birds migrate great distances and we chalk up their motivation to instinct. Why can't I pray for 30 mins a day or kick a nasty habit or be more generous or worry less or stop being so self-conscious – where can I find that motivation? That's our interest today – the Mysterious Queen of Sheba and the Mystery of Motivation. Let's look at:

1. The Mystery of Motivation
2. The Allure of Glory
3. The Mysterious, Surpassing Glory of Self-Sacrificing Love