Day 337, 3rd December Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of Acts.
DIVIDE AND RULE?
For Paul in today’s story appearing before the Sanhedrin it was divide and escape. Let’s see how!
ACTS 21:37-40
PAUL REVEALED HIS JEWISH HERITAGE
“As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” v.37
As he was allowed he said “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.
ACTS 22:1-30
IMPACT OF LANGUAGE: The Crowd Listened Intensely As Paul Spoke To Them In Aramaic.
Language remains a binding force — Paul a learned man knows the impact of communication and the terms on which people would identify. He revealed his educational background as a PhD graduate in law trained by Gamaliel a highly respected professor of theirs (v.3).
I WAS PAUL THE PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH (HE RECOUNTED)
He went on to reveal how he was opposed to the church and in fact approved of the killing of Stephen the Martyr (v.4,5,19b,20).
HIS DIVINE ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST AND MANDATE TO LEAD THE GENTILES TO THE LORD JESUS — SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS;
He told them of his unique encounter on his way to Damascus (to arrest some disciples) where Jesus spoke to him (v.12-16).
All this seemed ok, as he narrated the process of his calling until he said ‘The the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” v.21
They could not have any of that reality and they screamed “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” v.22
I AM A ROMAN CITIZEN:—
Paul revealed his citizenship as the commander responded to the angry crowd and had ordered him to be flogged. The soldiers about to carry out the order refrained and the interrogation stopped, it was in fact wrong to have had him in chains (v.29)
He was released the next day to appear before the Sanhedrin.
CHAPTER 23:1-35
PAUL’S DIVIDE AND RULE STRATEGY —
PHARISEES Vs SADDUCEES
Standing before the Sanhedrin ( council of elders, teachers of law and high priest ); They though Paul would disrespect the High Priest but he acknowledged leadership {(v.1-5), ref Exodus 22:28 in v.5. — “ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realise that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘do not speak evil against the ruler of your people’“}.
KNOWING THEY WERE A MIX OF PHARISEES those who believe in resurrection and SADDUCEES who don’t!, He spoke of the hope of resurrection of the dead.
Alas! they became divided —
“There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. ‘We find nothing wrong with this man.’ They said” v.9
SAFETY FOR PAUL AND THE PRESENCE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD IMPACTING CIRCUMSTANCES
For safety Paul was taken to the Barracks and “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” v.11
IT WAS A GROUP OF FORTY;
They conspired to kill Paul — with a vow to neither eat nor drink until they had accomplished this.
Paul’s nephew overheard them, and made his way to the barracks and informed Paul what their plot was (v.16). I understand this as divine!
Paul sent him to the authorities and boy related the conspiracy to them (v.17-22).
“Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. Don’t give in to them, because more than 40 of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.“ v.20-21
TWO HUNDRED SOLDIERS, SEVENTY HORSEMEN, AND TWO HUNDRED SPEARMEN (Total – 470 Battalion) — ESCORT PAUL TO CAESAREA AT NIGHT:
This was how Paul escape with a letter to the Governor to the Governor Felix. Thereby transferring his case to him (Read v.25-30). Note that Claudius Lysias the governor expressly stated “I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.” v.29.
FELIX SCHEDULED THE HEARING against the arrival of his accusers. “Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.” v.35.
NIGHT:
Corruption is impacting our world because of the lack of integrity and authenticity; not politics or diplomacy.
For the spiritual mind Paul was operating in divine wisdom, for a lesser mind he played politics.
Ok then, what about the centurion and the commander? Put offices and influence in the modern society — Perhaps as Captains, DPO, Commissioner, Colonel, Major, Magistrates, Judges, Public Leaders really —
The commander wrote with authenticity. Therefore did not allow distortion of the case and with sincerity protecting Paul’s life with all the resources at his disposal. Paul was not indicted through him, neither did he leave room for any negative assumption. (Act 23:27-30).
But what should be done to a leader whose heart is a lie manufacturing machine!
Please pray for heart surgery for all our dishonest and corrupt leaders who are impacting our world. IJMN, Amen.
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Toyin
Make A Comment
Comments (0)