The physician Luke wrote how, “there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter, and when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “ Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon” where we read:
And 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.
The verse begins, “And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon:” Luke began with the words, “And Herod” which refers to “the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles whose name means heroic” “was highly displeased with them” or “had great animosity toward, was exasperated with and very angry with the people” “of Tyre” which means “the residents and inhabitants of Tyre” “and Sidon” or “and the inhabitants of Sidon”. Luke shared how “Herod” was “angry” with the inhabitants of “Tyre and Sidon”.
The verse continues, “but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace;” Luke added the words, “but they came with one accord to him” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon approached Herod in unison and with one mind”, “and, having made Blastus” or “and persuading, making friends of and gaining the favor and good will from Blastus whose name means sprout who was an officer of Herod Agrippa” “the king's chamberlain their friend” which means “who became the friend of people of Tyre and Sidon and the officer over the bedchamber of the ruler, commander and leader of the people”, “desired peace” or “asked, begged for and craved calm, tranquility, quietness and prosperity”. Luke shared how the people in “Tyre and Sidon” approached “Herod” through their “friend” “Blastus” the “chamberlain” of Herod because they wanted “calm and tranquility” in their cities.
Finally the verse says, “because their country was nourished by the king's country.” Luke ended this verse by saying, “because their country” or “since and on account that the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon's region, territory and country” “was nourished by the king's country” which means “was supported by the ruler, commander and leader of the people, Herod's, region and territory”. Luke shared how the inhabitants of “Tyre and Sidon” were supported by King “Herod's” territory.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Herod” was upset with the people in “Tyre and Sidon”. This troubled the people there, and they approached “Herod” in a unified way through “Blastus”, whom they befriended and was the watcher over the bedchamber of Herod to intercede on their behalf. They knew their sustenance and support came from the region from which “King Herod” reigned, and if he were to cut off their supply, they would suffer. We shall see how this story unfolds in our next few verses, but for now, let us be mindful that God had a plan even for this event, and when people surrender to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they align with His “gospel of salvation” whereby people may be forgiven of their sins and be granted everlasting life.
Next time Luke shares how, “ Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment