Luke the physician wrote how, “Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne” where we read:
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne,
and made an oration unto them.
The verse begins, “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, ...” Luke began with the words, “And upon a set day” which means “and on an ordered, arranged, fixed and stated natural day between sunrise and sunset” “Herod” whose name means “heroic” and was “the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles”, “arrayed in royal apparel” which means “clothed and having put on kingly, regal and sovereign raiment and robe”, “sat upon his throne” or “was seated, fixed and established upon his, Herod's, raised structure or tribune which was the official seat of a judge”. Luke shared how “Herod” was dressed in a “regal robe and raiment” and was seated upon his “throne” before the people.
The verse goes on to say, “... and made an oration unto them.” Luke continued with the words, “and made an oration” which means “and addressed the people with a speech” “unto them” or “to the people who gathered”. Luke shared how “Herod” addressed the people with a speech while sitting on his throne.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about this particular prearranged day for “Herod” to make a “regal” public showing of himself where he would give a speech to the people who gathered. The people from “Tyre and Sidon” were seeking favor from King Herod whom they knew was angry with them, so they gathered to hear him speak upon this prearranged day. We shall see how the crowd responds to “Herod” in our next verse, but for now, let us remember God is at work spreading His “gospel of salvation” to everyone, and even this story has it's purpose in God's plan. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with every one who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus. Those who surrender to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and rather than seek for “men or rulers” to save them like these people, everyone should seek the Lord Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how, “ the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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