Luke the beloved physician wrote how Demetrius, a silversmith, caused “no small stir” saying that “Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “they drew Alexander out of the multitude” where we read:
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward.
And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people.
The verse begins, “And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward.” Luke began with the words, “and they drew Alexander” which means “and the crowd of people incited, instigated, urged and induced by persuasion Alexander whose name means man defender and was a certain Jew” “out of the multitude” or “apart and separate from the crowd of Ephesians who assembled”, “the Jews” which means “the people of the Jewish nation as respects to origin, birth or religion” “putting him forward” or “pushing and thrusting Alexander to the front of the people who gathered”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” in the crowd “pushed” “Alexander” to the front of all the people who assembled.
The verse goes on to say, “And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people.” Luke continued with the words, “and Alexander” whose name means “man defender” “beckoned with the hand” or “made a sign or signal by using his physical hand”, “and would have made his defense” which means “and had in mind or intended to give a full account or contend for himself” “unto the people” or “toward the male and female human beings who gathered together”. Luke shared how “Alexander” signaled with his “hand” to the crowd, and desired to “defend” himself before the crowd.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how there were “Jewish people” within the crowd gathered at “Ephesus”. They decided to push “Alexander” to the front of the crowd, and he made a sign to the people for them to allow him to defend himself. We shall see how this idea worked for the Jewish people and Alexander in our next verses, but for now let us imagine being in this crowd of yelling and screaming people where chaos abounded and many people were assembled without even knowing why they were there. Paul would later write, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” 1 Corinthians 14:33), and because this group of people were out of control, we know “God the Heavenly Father” did not inspire these actions. God loves people, and when they submit to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He brings forgiveness of sins, eternal life and peace into their lives. Let all who consider this story reach out to the “Prince of Peace”, Jesus, and allow Him to bring calm and tranquility into their lives.
Next time Luke shares how the crowd cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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