ARROGANCE AND WORMS
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for the grace and mercy you offer. Help me so that all I am testifies to who you are.
Read ACTS 12:19b–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Herod’s Death
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
Reflect
God opposes the proud. Have you seen someone oppose God and set themselves up in God’s place? Pride is an attitude repulsive to him.Before the great story of Acts shifts focus to Paul’s missionary journeys in subsequent chapters, one loose end remains from the previous story: antagonistic King Herod. The heartless killer of the apostle James and would-be killer of the apostle Peter is still in power.
Luke explains briefly how a political spat with a neighboring territory led to Herod’s big mistake. He spoke in front of a crowd, who responded with excessive praise, calling him a god. The outcome was not ambiguous. An angel of the Lord struck him, and we are told that ‘he was eaten by worms and died’ (v. 23). However that death sentence specifically worked, it was a humiliating and gory demise.
There is one God, and he does not share his glory with any other would-be gods (Isaiah 42:8). It is always true that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
Apply
The passage, and our entire section, ends with an encouraging note. ‘The word of God continued to spread and flourish.’ Praise God that his Word continues to reach the ends of the earth, even today, despite all the opposition!
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, help me remember always that I have been saved by grace and given what I didn’t deserve. Help me share the gospel with thanksgiving and humility, knowing that you have given me the privilege to tell others who you are.
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