Bible Study on Acts 25, verses 1 to 27, Paul appeals to Caesar

 

Acts 25:1 ¶  Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2  Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3  And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4  But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5  Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6  And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7  And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8  While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. 9  But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10  Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12  Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

 

Governor Antonius Felix is replaced by Governor Porcius Festus, whom historians tell us with one breath ruled from 59-62 and in another breath say the dates of his rule are not certain. I told you previously to be wary of the dating of the ancient world by moderns.

 

Paul, as a Roman citizen, has a right to appeal to Caesar. This will result in his execution as tradition tells us but that is not revealed in the text. Paul’s rights bind Governor Festus to allow Paul’s appeal and be sent to Rome.

 

Caesar has a judgment seat and Christ has a judgment seat (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10). Commentators like Matthew Henry, who were not dispensational-minded or believed in a pretribulational rapture considered this synonymous with the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11. Regardless, remember Christ’s statement about His authority.

 

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

Acts 25:13 ¶  And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14  And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15  About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16  To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17  Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18  Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19  But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20  And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21  But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. 22  Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23  And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. 24  And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25  But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26  Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27  For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

 

It was said about Paul previously;

 

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

 

Now he is going to speak before King Agrippa. According to historians this was Herod Agrippa II. He was the eighth and last in the line of Herod, the fifth to bear the title of king. He ruled only over territories outside of Judea as a Roman puppet. Agrippa would be overthrown by his subjects in 66AD and support the side of Rome in the coming rebellion that saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

Bible Study on Exodus 25, verses 1 to 9, part three, that I may dwell among them

 

Linen is a textile made from fibers of the flax plant. The earliest linen industry was founded in Egypt. Fine linen from Egypt was known for its quality apparently.

Proverbs 7:16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

 Ezekiel 27:7  Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

Goats’ hair will be used for the curtains for the tent over the tabernacle. Modern-day Bedouins have tents, tent-ropes, and rugs made from spun goats’ hair. It was used for pillows.

1Samuel 19:13  And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

Writers talk about the goat hair of Asia being very fine and long and how it feels like silk. It was combed off, they write, rather than sheared. Of course, there was coarser goats’ hair which was used in the clothing of the poor, according to some writers.

Rams’ skins dyed red and badgers’ skins taken together suggest that they were used for their being impervious to the infrequent rain. However, scientists who study ancient climate patterns say that there were periods of wet and dry and we are in a dry period now. There could have been much more frequent rain storms during the time of the Exodus. Their dating methods, often hinged to assumptions and variables that can be questioned and should be, should not be taken as absolute facts. Evidence is evidence, but remember, evidence is useless unless it is interpreted. The interpretation is where the vagaries of human viewpoints, worldviews, and culturally mandated assumptions interfere, not just education.[1] Just remember that the world is drying out after the Flood of Noah’s time in a process that is still going on today.

Shittim wood, according to Strong’s dictionary, would come from the Acacia tree. The Ark of the Covenant will be made of this wood.

Oil, spices, and incense, as with the other material, all have spiritual significance. They can represent things like the Holy Spirit, remind us of the preparation of Christ’s burial, and signify prayer and sacrifice. Each of these items in some way can point us to Christ and are the fitting subject of their own special study. There are many and varied possible ways to draw all of these items and colors into sound preaching.

Stones, as well, provide an important subject for a Bible study. There is a particular importance for these stones regarding the ephod, which will be discussed later.

Exodus 28:4  And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

With verse 8 it is important to understand that God did not have His Spirit dwell in each and every Hebrew as He does in each and every Jew and Gentile who believes on Christ and God can appear and His presence can be anywhere He wants it to be. But, He has commanded a tabernacle or sanctuary to be built so that He can dwell with these Hebrews in a specific way. Later, His glory will fill the temple that Solomon builds. The tabernacle, temporary as it was, represents the body of flesh while the temple represents our resurrection body. We should be filled with the glory of the Lord.

Exodus 40:34 ¶  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

2Chronicles 5:14  So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

But, there are no sacred spaces in Biblical Christianity outside of the believer’s own heart, which is now God’s temple.

1Corinthians 3:16 ¶  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

And we should seek to be filled with the Spirit of God and there are certain manifestations in our lives if that truly has happened.

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 ¶  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

 

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

God is going to give Moses the instructions for how this tabernacle, this sanctuary, is to be built.

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[1] Abdou Abouelmagd, Mohamed Sultan, Neil C. Sturchio, Farouk Soliman, Mohamed Rashed, Mohamed Ahmed, Alan E. Kehew, Adam Milewski, & Kyle Chouinard, “Paleoclimate record in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt,” Quaternary Research, 81 (2014) 158–167. http://wrrs.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Abouelmagd-et-al_2014.pdf

 

Bible Study on Acts 24, verses 1 to 27, Paul claims that the resurrection of the dead is the issue

 

Acts 24:1 ¶  And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2  And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3  We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.   4  Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5  For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6  Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7  But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8  Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9  And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

 

In the English legal system today there is a Solicitor who typically prepares the case and a Barrister who argues in court, although their roles are not always so clear. Here, the orator Tertullus is to make the case against Paul. Orators were very important in the development of what would become our modern legal profession. The ability to speak on behalf of one’s client was important to getting at the heart of a complaint or a defense.

 

A Roman citizen had the right to face his accusers, as Paul is doing here.

 

Acts 24:10 ¶  Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11  Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12  And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13  Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14  But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15  And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17  Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18  Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19  Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20  Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21  Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

 

Acts 24:22 ¶  And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23  And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24  And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26  He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27  But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

 

Paul’s defense was convincing enough to Felix to keep him safe from his accusers with the added bonus that he hoped a ransom of some kind might be paid to free Paul. So, it is clear from this passage that Felix is guided by greed as well as by curiosity.

 

Paul referenced the resurrection of both the just and the unjust. This was a common thread throughout the Bible. Job spoke of the resurrection.

 

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Isaiah speaks of a resurrection.

Isaiah 26:19  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Daniel speaks of a resurrection.

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Hosea speaks of a resurrection.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

And Jesus makes it clear that God’s dead have not ceased to exist and the following passage makes it plain that the Jews knew of the resurrection, although some did not believe, as it is today.

Matthew 22:23 ¶  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26  Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27  And last of all the woman died also. 28  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Bible Study on Exodus 25, verses 1 to 9, part two, Gold, Silver, Brass, Blue, and Purple

 

The context of verse 3 shows we are talking about physical objects. Gold and silver don’t need much explanation as metals of value and they have spiritual significance in their value and in how they are applied to Christ as many sermons reveal. More on that later. But, I would ask you to consider the following and just put it aside in your mind until later. Gold has good conductivity and generally is resistant to oxidation and corrosion so it has a small use in modern electrical components. Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity and reflectivity of any metal. Industrially it is used in electrical contacts and conductors. This will come up again in our discussion of the priests’ ephod in Exodus 28.

Brass was first worked by Tubalcain, before the great Flood of Noah’s time. See Genesis 4:22. Brass is a metallic alloy or mixture of predominantly copper and zinc as bronze is a mixture of copper and tin along with other substances in smaller amounts such as lead or aluminum. It is used for decoration and also has electrical applications in situations where it is important that sparks are not created. It is its low friction properties that make it valuable for locks, ammunition castings, valves, bearings, and zippers. It is durable and lasts a good while.

Blue was a color that was very difficult to make. Blue dyes were made from plants like woad and indigo and the blue pigments were made from minerals like lapis lazuli or azurite. Its difficulty in making made it valuable. Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious blue stone was made into jewelry and vessels.

Purple was also a difficult to make color. Remember Lydia in the New Testament?

Acts 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

It was so expensive that it came to signify royalty. The Roman soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus to mock Him as the king of the Jews.

Mark 15:17  And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18  And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

The wealthy man in the story of Lazarus and the rich man wore purple.

Luke 16:19 ¶  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Purple was worn by Roman magistrates and it became the imperial color worn by the rulers of the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, and later by Roman Catholic bishops. Also, in Japan, the color is traditionally associated with the Emperor and the nobility.

Purple was made from a sea snail, traditionally by the sea-farers of Tyre. It was known as Tyrian Purple in that context. The process of killing thousands of sea snails and making the dye was long and expensive, requiring a great deal of precision to get it right.

Scarlet is significant as it has been a color signifying power and wealth since ancient times, second only to purple. It was made from a small insect for the wealthy or as a vegetable dye if you were not so. Scarlet is a synonym for crimson and red. Our sins are likened to it as the color of blood.

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

The wealthy Hebrew woman in Proverbs 31, a type of the church, clothes her household in scarlet. It is a color of value, which is important to remember.

Fine linen symbolizes righteousness.

Revelation 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

To produce fine linen was a specialty.

1Chronicles 4:21  The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,

Bible Study on Acts 23, verses 12 to 35, the plot against Paul

 

Acts 23:12 ¶  And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13  And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14  And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

 

Acts 23:15  Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16  And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17  Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18  So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19  Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20  And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21  But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22  So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23  And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24  And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25  And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26  Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27  This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28  And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29  Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30  And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 31  Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32  On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33  Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34  And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35  I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

 

Here is the plot and in verse 16 Paul’s nephew warns him. Why did the translators not use the word nephew, which they had used in other contexts?

 

1Timothy 5:4  But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

 

This is because nephew at one time meant grandson which is the way it is used in 1Timothy 5:4.

 

We know the name of the chief commander, Claudius Lysias. Does this mean that this man will eventually become a Christian and that is why he is named or is this just coincidental as the Holy Spirit tells us through Luke who he was and what he wrote? We will know in heaven. The warning is then related to the commander who sends a detachment of soldiers to take Paul to the governor at the time, named Felix. A letter is sent along explaining the situation.

 

Antipatris was a town built by Herod the Great on the road from Jerusalem to Caesarea. As the distance between the two more important cities was over 60 miles a stop-off would have been necessary with the cavalry making better time after the stop without the infantry who would return.

 

Governor Felix, historians tell us, was the governor of Judea from 52-60AD although I would be careful about accepting historical dates as absolute as there is some guesswork and assumptions involved in ancient dating.

A Psalm for Sunday, Psalm 80, verses 1 to 7, and we shall be saved

 

Psalm 80:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph.» Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 2  Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. 3  Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 4  O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? 5  Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. 6  Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7  Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

 

Here is another Psalm that may have been written in the time of David’s Asaph prophesying a future time of torment and judgment. Shoshannimeduth, according to Gill, refers to some musical instrument unknown to us today. We can pray a modified version of this prayer in our times of distress.

 

God is the Shepherd of Israel and He is our Shepherd in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Matthew 26:31  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

 

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

1Peter 2:25  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

1Peter 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

Notice the reference between the cherubims.

 

Exodus 25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

 

1Samuel 4:4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

 

Clearly this is a time of great distress for Israel. It is a plea for temporal salvation from a terrible fate on this earth. If God would just turn to them they know they would be saved from it. If He would stir up His strength before the tribes mentioned here representing all Israel they would be saved.

 

Psalm 4:6 ¶  There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

 

Who among us who has suffered great loss or endured a terrible trial has not eaten the bread of tears or drank tears metaphorically? In another place the Holy Spirit speaks of God feeding someone with judgment.

 

Ezekiel 34:16  I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Acts chapter 23, verses 1 to 11, Paul before the council

 

Acts 23:1 ¶  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2  And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4  And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 5  Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

 

In Paul’s frustration he does something that in verse 5 he acknowledges that he shouldn’t even though the high priest is undeserving of respect.

Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

 

Acts 23:6 ¶  But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 7  And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 9  And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 10  And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 11  And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

 

Josephus, the Jewish general turncoat who worked for the Romans and wrote histories of the Jews claimed that the Sadducees believed that the soul could die, that there was no afterlife, that there were no rewards or penalties after death, and that only the written law was valid. They were composed of the upper class and educated elite who oversaw the temple operations and shared with the Roman upper class a denial of the reality of the supernatural. They did, apparently, believe in God but were more political and worldly than the more conservative Pharisees, and they were composed of a ruling class that expected God’s benefits and prosperity now, in this life, and denied even His intervention in history, sources say. They would have been terrified of anything that threatened their position under Roman authority.

 

The Pharisees followed the Law given to Moses, believed in tradition, and angels, a resurrection of the just, and also in a Messiah-to-come. They were dogmatic in their tradition and oral law which covered most every subject.

 

Paul understood how to drive a wedge between his accusers. The Roman officer has to save Paul, however, from what is becoming an out-of-control assembly.

 

God speaks to Paul to assure him that Paul will indeed go to Rome, which Paul will make sure happens later by demanding his Roman right to appeal, to be heard by Caesar. As we know that the physical image, the body of God, if you will, is Jesus Christ it is Him who stands by Paul in the night.