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THE KING’S BUSINESS
favor with men, and now found himself cowering before the piercing eye o f his condemning prisoner. Paul was perfectly willing to take any punishment he deserved even unto death, but having a clear con science he had no fear' o f Festus or any man. Paul’s appeal to Caesar was a most unexpected turn in affairs. It confused Festus and utterly baffled the Jews, i The Lord’s own words spoken to Paul on His midnight visit to him in prison had sug gested this appeal, (cf. ch. 23:11). Festus can make but one decision, “ Unto Caesar shalt thou go.” How Paul’s enemies must have fumed in their hearts. All their plottings were but carrying Paul on toward the city he had long desired to visit and to which he now goes at his enemies’ expense (Rom. 1:16; 16:22-32). OUTLINE How shall we escape his plots? 1 John 5:18. What shall we sing with Paul? Psa. 124:7. What was the first sign o f the ruling hand ? v. 4. What sign that Festus meant to judge justly? v. 5. Would Paul object to that? v. 11. (3 ) Jehovah’s Plan Progresses, vs. 6-12. Did Paul fear Festus’ judgment seat? Rom. 13:3; 1 Peter 3 :13, 14. The fear o f what judgment seat buoyed him up? 2 Cor. 5:10. How long had Paul suffered the law’s delays? 24:27. How, probably, did he use the time? 28 :16, 30. Need bonds, imprisonment, or shutinness preclude God’s servants from service or worship? Phil. 1:13-16. Had Festus power o f life and death over Paul? 22:25-29. With what was Paul charged? 24:5-7. What was. wanting to this indictment? v. 7; 24:13. Would proof have been wanting on the
be judged: to thé Jews I have done no ‘wrong, as thou ( add, also) very well know- est. For if I am an offender ( I f then I am a wrong doer), or (and) have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: ( ; ) but if' there be none o f those things (none o f those things is true) whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me ( can give me up) unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed^ (Thou hast appealed) unto Caesar ? ( : ) unto Caesar shalt thou g o ’’ Festus got a courteous but stinging and well deserved rebuke' from the pris oner at the bar. Doubtless it cut him to the quick. He had known perfectly well what the straight path o f duty was, but had sought' 'to take an indirect path to curry LESSON ( 1 ) The Jews Plot Paul’s Death, vs. 1-3. Whom did Festus succeed ? 24:27. Had God anything to do with it? Dan. 4:17. Who was the high priest? 24:1. What information did they give Festus ? 24:5. 6. Was Paul present ? 23:23, 24, 27. Did the Jews seek justice o f Festus against Paul ? v, 3 R.V. The favor granted, would Paul have re ceived justice? Prov. 29:26. The favor granted, what did the Jews intend to do? v. 3. Was this an old trick o f theirs? 23:20, 21 . Was Festus caught in the trap? Ecc. 2:14. ( 2 ) Jehovah Plans Paul’s Life, vs. 4, 5. What was the Lord’s plan for Paul? 23:11. Was plot or plan most likely to succeed? Isa. 14:27. Has God a plan-for each o f us? Psa. 37:23; Eph. 2 :10. Is there one who plots against us? Psa. 37:12; 1 Tim. 3:7.
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