– Scripture:
But things went from bad to worse for Herod. Now people from Tyre and Sidon put him on the warpath. But they got Blastus, King Herod’s right-hand man, to put in a good word for them and got a delegation together to iron things out. Because they were dependent on Judea for food supplies, they couldn’t afford to let this go on too long. On the day set for their meeting, Herod, robed in pomposity, took his place on the throne and regaled them with a lot of hot air. The people played their part to the hilt and shouted flatteries: “The voice of God! The voice of God!”
That was the last straw. God had had enough of Herod’s arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything. Down he went. Rotten to the core, a maggoty old man if there ever was one, he died.
Meanwhile, the ministry of God’s Word grew by leaps and bounds.
Acts 12:20-24 MSG
– Reflection:
In this chapter we have witnessed the cruelty of Herod’s kingship. He has had Peter thrown in jail and James, brother of John, put to death. Verses 21 and 22 depict Herod acting like a god, wearing lavish robes, sitting upon a throne, addressing hungry people pleading for mercy. The distance between the king and the cries of his people is striking. The result is Herod is struck down by GOD and becomes food for the worms.
Where do we go from here?
Perhaps it is hard to imagine God in this way, striking someone down, allowing them to be eaten by worms. But perhaps it is freeing to imagine that God will not tolerate oppressive leadership. Perhaps it is freeing to know that God does not approve of leaders who parade around as gods while others go hungry. Perhaps our salvation is found in the God who Mary describes in her Magnificat in Luke:
The Prayer from Today’s Scripture
Our Prayer for Today
Our Prayer for Today
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
50indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
(Mary, Luke 1:46-56)
Prayer Author: Nick Carson
Post Author: Arthur Poston Jr.
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