Luke the physician wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much”, and in chapter five and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter asked Sapphira, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” where we read:
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door, and shall carry you out.
The verse begins, “Then Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” Luke began with the words, “then Peter said unto her” which means “at that time Peter whose name means a little rock or stone uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Sapphira”, “how is it that you have agreed together” or “what is the cause and reason you, Sapphira and your husband Ananias, made an agreement, compact and harmonious accord with one another” “to tempt the Spirit of the Lord” which means “to try, test and make trial of the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son and pertains to the One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”? Luke shared how “Peter” questioned “Sapphira” as to why she and her husband “Ananias” conspired with one another to “try and test” the Holy Spirit of God.
The verse goes on to say, “behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door, and shall carry you out.” Luke continued with the words, “behold, the feet of them” which means “lo, look, observe and consider, the physical feet of them, the youthful men”, “which have buried your husband” or “who interred the body of your, Sapphira's, male spouse Ananias” “are at the door” which means “are positioned against the vestibule or opening for the entrance or passage way into the room”, “and shall carry you out” or “and will bear forth you, Sapphira, outside”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Sapphira” to consider the “feet” of the youthful men who “inhumed” her “husband” Ananias would also take her out of the place they were and bury her as well.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “Peter” gave “Sapphira” an opportunity to be truthful about conspiring to keep a portion of the value received for she and her husband Ananias' property, but she failed. “Peter” questioned her as to how she and Ananias could have made such an agreement together against the “Spirit of the Lord”, and he instructed her to observe the “physical feet” of the “young men” who carried her “husband's” body out to bury him because they would carry her body out as well. What a daunting declaration this was, and everyone reading these words should take heed about the consequences for “lying” to God's Spirit. God knows everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus into world to die for their sinful behaviors and attitudes, and when a person yields their life to Him, He will forgive their sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9) Those who are wise will humble themselves before the Lord and Messiah Jesus and never “lie” to the Spirit of God concerning their conditions or aspirations.
Next time Luke shares how Sapphira, “fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost”, 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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