Blog #7: status of Ethiopia

The reading of the Kebra Negast outlines, through the story of Solomon and Sheba, how Ethiopia should be nearly as holy a place as Israel. Comparing the slide show about Ethiopia to the Kebra Negast, it seems that modern day Ethiopia has recessed from its former glory. In the slide show the country was shown in poverty and the churches seemed much less large and elaborate than the kinds of religious structures found in Israel. The Ethiopia described in the Kebra Negast was wise, elegant, and respected; a stark contrast to the images of modern poverty stricken Ethiopia. The Kebra Negast speaks of pursuing true wisdom, something that can only be pursued when physical needs are not at the forefront; it is difficult to ponder true wisdom when a country is focused on feeding its people.



Of course, Ethiopia holds a certain amount of gravity in Christianity due to the rumor that it is in possession of the Ark of the Covenant. This fact is mentioned in the subtitle of the Kebra Negast: "being the history of the departure of God and his Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia." Obviously the idea that Ethiopia possesses the Ark of the Covenant was implanted centuries ago (not just a passing rumor). Ethiopia's former status is outlined in the Kebra Negast with the story of the conception of the Queen's son (which is really what the whole thing is about). The Queen fell in love with the wisdom of King Solomon and wished to learn from and admire him, so she went to see him. King Solomon heard from God that he had to impregnate the queen to give Ethiopia higher status. She had King Solomon's son and thus the blood line of Solomon came to Ethiopia by the will of God.