The beloved physician Luke wrote when the chief captain and the men who examined Paul discovered he was a Roman, they “loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse three of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul said unto him, God shall smite you, you whited wall” where we read:
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite you, you whited wall: for sit you to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?
The verse begins, “Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite you, you whited wall: ” Luke began with the words, “then said Paul unto him” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed Paul, whose name means small or little, to the high priest”, “God shall smite you” or “God, the Heavenly Father, will beat, thump or punish with a blow you, high priest”, “you whited wall” which means “you covered with lime, plastered over and whitewashed wall of a house or tomb”. Luke shared how “Paul” responded to the high priest's order to have him hit in the mouth by telling him that “God” would “strike” him because he was like a “whited wall” which looks clean on the outside but is inwardly filthy.
The verse goes on to say, “for sit you to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?” Luke continued with the words, “for sit you to judge me” which means “because, since and on account that you, high priest, are seated, fixed and established in a position of resolving, pronouncing judgment upon, ruling and governing over me, Paul” “after the law” or “down from and according to the rule producing a state approved of God”, “and command me” which means “and order me, Paul” “to be smitten contrary to the law” or “to be hit, struck or smacked opposed to and breaking the rule producing a state approved of God”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “high priest” although he sat in the seat which permitted him to “judge” him according to God's law, he was actually violating His law by ordering that he be “stricken” in the mouth.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” responded to the high priest having him struck in the mouth when he didn't like what he said. “Paul” acknowledged the “high priest's” position, but told him he was abusing his power because he was acting in a manner that was contrary to God's law. God loves people, and many times they violate His law. He sent His Son Jesus to the world to die for the sins and errors of people. When they submit to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Though others may do things contrary to the ways of God, those who are wise align with Jesus and allow Him to direct their paths when they face persecution for doing so.
Next time Luke shares how, “they that stood by said, revile you God's high priest?”, 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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