The beloved physician Luke 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:” This caused a great commotion in the city of Ephesus among the people, “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. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter. Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For you have brought here these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how the town clerk said, “if you inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly” where we read:
But if you inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
The verse begins, “But if you inquire any thing concerning other matters, ...” Luke began with the words, “but if you inquire any thing” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whether and in case you, people of Ephesus, seek, search, wish, crave, demand and clamor for a certain or particular thing” “concerning other matters” or “about, on account of and around another form, class, kind or quality of altered or strange acts and deeds” the following will occur. Luke shared how the “town clerk” said “if” the people of Ephesus had other “questions and cases” to bring, they should depend upon the following to care for them.
The verse continues, “... it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.” Luke added the words, “it shall be determined” which means “the other matters were to be cleared, decided and settled” “in a lawful assembly” or “within a gathering that was subject to the regular law”. Luke shared how the “town clerk” of Ephesus told the people any other matters they had one against another were to be brought in a legal and lawful way in a gathering of the courts.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “town clerk” or “mayor” of Ephesus continued to calm the crowd who gathered by telling them to take their “personal business matters” against one another to the legal and lawful assembly. He saw this uproar as a “civil” case and not a criminal one, and we shall see why he was concerned for their upheaval in our next verse. Civil matters were to be brought to “civil court”, and because the people gathered together in a public assembly, they were in danger of riotous behavior. God loves all people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise “come” to Him, believe in Him and trust Him for forgiveness of sins and everlasting life, and His offer is to everyone regardless of the civil acts committed against them.
Next time Luke shares how the town clerk says, “we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment