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: 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 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”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how the crowd cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, ...” Luke began with the words, “but when they knew” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment the people in the crowd understood, perceived and discerned” “that he was a Jew” or “that Alexander existed as one from the Jewish nation as respects to origin, birth or religion”, “all with one voice” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the people with a united sound and tone of uttered words” “about the space of two hours cried out” or “for around the time of two hours shouted aloud and vociferated” the following words. Luke shared how the assembly of people understood that “Alexander” was a “Jew” and began to “yell and scream” in a united fashion the following words.
The verse continues, “... Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Luke added the words, “Great is Diana” whose name means “large, abundant and eminent exists Diana whose name means complete light or flow restrained and was the so called Tauric or Persian or Ephesian Artemis, the goddess of many Asiatic people, to be distinguished from the Artemis of the Greeks and the sister of Apollo” “of the Ephesians” or “belonging to the people who dwelt in Ephesus”. Luke shared how the crowd of people from Ephesus began to scream and yell about the magnificence and greatness of their goddess “Diana”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the idea of pushing “Alexander” to defend himself before the crowd of people who assembled in “Ephesus” did not work out so well. In fact, as soon as the people “knew” “Alexander” was a “Jew”, they began to exalt their goddess “Diana” in unison. God's plan was to “save” the people of “Ephesus” from their sins, and He would provide them with everlasting life when they believed and trusted in His Son Jesus. However, they refused and rejected Jesus, and therefore they clung to the “god” they knew. Those who carefully study this story will examine themselves and determine whether they are clinging to “idols or gods” that have no promise of salvation or eternal life and choose Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares about what happened, “when the town clerk had appeased the people”, 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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