“Ethiopia entreats towards GOD” (Psalm 67÷31)

By Hiwot Salelew

Our country Ethiopia is among the countries who first accepted Christianity. Prophet David in Psalm 67÷31 said, “Ethiopia entreats towards GOD”, (Psalm 67÷31). The generation where Prophet Moses married an Ethiopian woman, hailed people who worshiped GOD through the unwritten law; and just as it’s inspirited in the Holy Bible, the Old Testament and the Pentateuch law began at the era of Queen of Sheba.  The Queen’s cavernous inclination to explore the wisdom and dynasty of King Solomon led her to Jerusalem to learn the Pentateuch.

During that era, there was chief of Merchants called Tamrin who served the Queen of Sheba. He was wise and discernible. After his returnee from Jerusalem, his portrayal about the king aspired the Queen in seeing him with her eyes and listen to his wisdom with her ears. She told her people, “My fellow citizens! Listen to what I say; I crave for wisdom; my heart urges knowledge; I am in love and have become a prisoner. (Kibre Negest, 24). Anon, she informed her servant about her decision to go to the king’s country and explore his wisdom; so Tamrin made her wish come true. The people then convoyed her to his kingdom.

The queen reached Jerusalem after travelling for six month. King Solomon, who heard her presence from the merchant Tamrin, welcomed her with honor. “When she heard about Solomon’s name; God’s name; she came to test him with riddle” (I Kings 10÷1-13). Afterwards, he taught her everything about wisdom.

Our Lord Jesus Christ blamed the generation of Jew’s, saying, “Queen of Azeb will rise at judgment day; Culp those generations, arbitrate and defeat them, since she has come to hear Solomon’s wisdom from the end of the earth,” (Kibre Negest, 21); he referred the Ethiopian Queen as Queen of Azeb.

Later on, the king wished to have heir from her and she remained in his kingdom for six years. Then, Queen of Sheba conceived a child. But, when it was time to turn back to her kingdom, she said, “Permit me to leave”. On their separation, he gave her his ring as a souvenir and honorably escorted her, (Kibre Nigeset, 30-31).

Nine months and five days passed, the Queen reached Bala, a town in Disaria, where she gave birth to a baby boy. Following her arrival at her country, she taught her people about wisdom and Pentateuch law erudite from the King; she also ruled her dynasty by the law of GOD.

At 12 years old, her son Menilik often asked about his father. Feeling anxious of losing him, Queen of Sheba told her son to deem her as a mother and father. Ten years passed and Menilik grew to a 22 years old young man. By then, he made his decision to travel to Israel and meet his father. He then went to Jerusalem with the merchant Tamrin.

King Solomon, who heard about his son’s arrival, blissfully welcomed him with honor. Menilik’s graceful face looked like his father. He showed him the ring his mother gave him for evidence. But, the King tenderly explained that their resemblance is good enough; he then hugged and kissed him.

However, Menilik dearly missed his mother. The King got very sad knowing his desire of returning back and even tried hard to change his mind. Unfortunate to them, his son couldn’t agree. Thus, King Solomon discussed it with his noblemen. Blessing and sanctifying him by the name of David, he send his son back. Whilst reaching Ethiopia, he reigned as King Menilik I, descending his father’s dynasty. Subsequently, Pentateuch law was officially proclaimed in our country.

Source: Amharic text by Hiwot Salelew at/ www.mahiberekidusan.com/amharicwebsite/