THE KING’S BUSINESS
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ness of Jesus there, Paul was following again very closely in the road his Master walked in having a plot formed against him (Matt. 26:4). That the conspirators thought it a perfectly proper and pious thing they were doing is evident from their disclosing it to the priests and elders (cf. Jer. 6:15; Hos. 4:9). They sought the co-operation of the priests, and got it. Ecclesiastics have often stooped to the lowest villainy. In our day they do not murder a man’s body, but only his reputa tion, and their plots are frequently as unprincipled and hellish as that recorded here. Thursday, April rp. Acts 23 : 16 - 22 . It required no miracle to defeat the plot of the Jews. But the defeat was of God just as much as if the whole course of nature had been stopped. In a very sim ple and natural way the plot leaked out and got to the ears of a relative of Paul. It is quite likely he did not sympathize with Paul’s views, but he recoiled at the thought of his being assassinated. Paul’s enemies were caught in their own, counsel (cf. Job 5:13; 1 Cor. 3:19). This scheme to overthrew' God’s purpose and word had failed utterly (cf. Prov. 21:30; Lam. 3:37). Though Paul had faith in God that did not prevent his taking judicious pre cautions to defeat the wiles of his enemies (cf. Matt. 10:16). Both the captain and th e ' colonel had occasion to fear Paul, as they had violated the Roman law in their treatment of him (ch. 22:25-29). They were both eager to do something to gain his favor. Probably when the colonel took the young man so courteously by the hand and led him tO one side he hoped that the young man had come to suggest a bribe for Paul’s deliverance (cf. ch. 24:26). Thus his fears and his cupidity worked together with other things to secure Paul’s rescue (cf. Rom. 8:28). The plot not only failed, it resulted in furthering God’s plans and fulfilling His word. It started Paul on the road to Rome, and brought him into Caesarea where he had the opportunity of
bearing witness for Christ before Felix, Festus, Agrippa, Drusilla and Bernice. It resulted also in that imprisonment to which we owe so many of Paul’s most prjciodk epistles. So here we see again God mak ing the wrath of men to praise Him (Ps. 76 :10). One wonders what the forty con spirators did when they found the bird had flown. Did they keep their oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul? It is not at all likely that they did. We learn from Talmud that in such a case the Rabbis had power to absolve them. The plot had failed completely and so will every plan that is formed against God’s faithful servants fail even when it seems to succeed (Isa. 54:17). Friday, April 20 . Acts 23 : 23 - 35 . Claudius Lysias was a very shrewd poli tician and skillful liar. See how he twists the facts a little and covers up the out rageous breach of the Roman law of which he had been guilty in tying up a Roman citizen with the thongs to examine him by torture. See too, how he tells the story so that it reflects great and undeserved credit upon himself. This letter evidently is not a fabrication by Luke, but the genuine handiwork of an astute Roman politician. Yet, after all, Claudius Lysias left himself open to a very serious indictment if Paul had seen fit to follow it up. He said that he had learned Paul was a Roman before he came to his rescue; therefore, according to his own testimony, he had bound a man whom he knew to be a Roman. But, like most politicians, Claudius Lysias will take long chances about the future, provided he can serve the present opportunity. Paul, however, was not concerned about punish ing those that scourged him, and so Claud ius Lysias for the time being got off all right. The fact that he had made hiitt- self liable to serious charges from Paul made him ready to do what he could to serve Paul and thus gain favor with him. This is doubtless the reason why he acted so promptly upon the information furnished by Paul’s nephew. As for Paul, he is now
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