Of his own desire, and to please Jewish leaders, king Herod Agrippa of Judea had been on the offensive against Christians. Before he had Peter captured, he executed James, the brother of John, beheading him by the sword.
But, God’s plan for Peter would involve an angel of the Lord, sent out to deliver the apostle from his chains, and see him out of the prison where he had been through Passover, awaiting his execution.
“20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.” (Acts 12:20)
After Peter’s escape from prison in Jerusalem, Herod left for Caesarea, a coastal city and the Roman capital in Palestine. Tyre and Sidon were also seaports, located north of Caesarea, ruled by another king whose economics relied on Herod.
Representatives from Tyre and Sidon traveled to Caesarea to seek resolve with Herod through Blastus, the king’s personal aide.
“21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” (Acts 12:21-22)
At the appointed day, king Herod, wearing a royal garment and sitting on his throne, delivered a speech to the people of Tyre and Sidon in a way that stirred up those present, who hailed the king as a god, not a mere mortal.
“23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:23)
God took offense to the king and his people’s blasphemy and struck king Herod, exposing him as indeed a man, not at all a god. For five days thereafter, the king was in great agony. Eventually Herod died, having been eaten by worms from the inside out.
“24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24)
The mighty power of Yahweh, confirmed by king Herod’s agonizing death continued to spread through the land, as each seeker’s confidence in the divine Creator grew with abundance, not only through miracles but also by sharing of the truth about the risen Messiah, Jesus, the Christ our Lord. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
