208 and that in ten words.—K: L. B. Blessed' martyr! Thou hast indeed drunk of th^ fo rd ’s cup and hast been baptized with His baptism.—-J. P. & B. Why should God permit it? If the blood of His saints is precious in His eyes, we may be sure it is not shed but upon a valuable consideration. Perhaps God intended hereby to awaken the rest of the apostles to disperse themselves among the nations and not to nestle longer at Jerusalem.— Henry. v. 3. He saw it pleased the Jews. That is the natural history of wicked ness. It is self-impelling. It gathers momentum as it goes. Murder does not look so ghastly when you have done it once. There are those who enjoy see ing you play the criminal and will hur rah you, but what will they do for you in your critical hour? They will flee awayfi-Parker. Make it your business to please men and you will be an easy prey to the devil.— Sel. v. 4. Intending after Passover to bring him forth. They were like many today who care more for days and cere monies than they do for the just and right treatment of their fellow men.— Torrey. Herod would not defile his re ligious standing nor interfere with the religious attitude of the people but cold ly and calmly he contemplated the mo ment when without losing his reputa tion as a stickler for religious rites he might carry Out his thirst for murder. —Haldeman. v. 5. But prayer was made. Prayer and tears are the church’s arms. There with she fights, not only against her enemies but for her friends, and to these means they have recourse,-Ip Henry. Times of public distress and danger should be especially praying times for the church.-—Sum. Bible. Note four points on prayer in this verse. Prayer directed— “ unto God’’ ; prayer intense — “ without ceasing” ; prayer united— “ of the church” ; prayer inter cessory— “ for him” .— Inglis. Without ceasing. Literally “ earnestly, intense ly, stretched-outly.” The mind stretched out in intensity, of desire. The same Greek word is used in the description of our Lord’s prayer (Lk. 22:44). “ Be ing in agony He prayed more earnestly.” — Camb. Bible. Of the church. A united church, a church praying in one mind and voice is an immense impact upon the throne of God.^^IIaldeman. Unto God. They appealed the case
THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S from Herod the king to God the King of kings.— Torrey. V. 6. The same night. God often delays His answers till the eve of our extremity.— Sel. Peter was sleeping. Compare Peter’s three sleeps. (Lk. 9:32;, 22:46.)— Comp. Bible. There was but a step between him and death, yet he could “ lay himself down in peace and sleep,” being sure that God Would issue his trial that way that should be most for His glory.— Henry. Between two soldiers. However we may be sur rounded, there is always a wajr open to heaven.— Palmer. The saints had appearances dead against them. Two soldiers, chains, keepers before the door of the prison—why, these were compli ments to Peter. The devil cannot avoid paying us compliments all the while he is trying to destroy us. Why all this arrangement about a mere man like Peter? It is a reluctant but significant tribute to the character whose destruc tion is contemplated. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.-^People’s Bible. v. 7. Angel of the Lord came upon him. God’s angels, we are told, come unawares in our day. (Heb. 13:2.) Suddenly in the midst of life’s, great perplexities, an individual has come forward to help. He does his work and disappears. To us he has been of com mon earth. We have failed to discern him. He was one of God’s messengers sent to minister to our needJH-Halde- man. A light shined in the prison. Prayer will bring light into a prison cell, |ljj- Pettingil. He smote Peter. Sharp blows are often more loving than gentle lullabies. It is frequently neces sary to wake up a man before he can be delivered.— Torrey. The same heav enly agent performs the same action on Peter and on Herod (v. 23). To one his touch brings freedom and the drop ping off of his chains, to the other it brings gnawing agonies and a horrible death. The Gospel too comes charged with this double possibilityJH-Mac- laren. Arise up quickly. When God bids us arise and obey we must do so without considering the obstructions that; confront us. It is our part to arise and gird ourselves. It is for Him to cause the chains to fall off and the iron gates to open. What are iron gates to Him who cleft a path through the Red Sea?—Meyer. His chains fell off. Peter got a legal discharge from heaven.—McNeill. v. 8. Cast thy garments about thee.
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