24 September 2010
Psalm 88; Esther 8:1-17; Acts 19:21-41; Luke 4:31-37

The edict of the king is reversed. The Jews were allowed to defend themselves in any way possible and given authority to be ruthless in their defense of themselves. The bottom line is that there was mutually assured destruction and therefore détente. No one wanted to be the cause of a war no one could win. Sounds like the era in which I grew up in the 1960s to the 1980s. What a reversal of fortune that only God could have brought about! The king saved face by not canceling his own words but by issuing this second order which nullified the first. The fear of the Jews had fallen on the people but why? For the same reason it was true in Jericho at the conquest of the land, it was obvious that their God was with them, watching over them and protecting them.

Jesus spoke with authority, the authority of the law-giver Himself. When you have given the law you are the authority on application and purpose. No one could ever speak as authoritatively on this than Jesus. With the Holy Spirit, however, He speaks to us concerning His Word today as authoritatively as He did when He taught in the synagogue. Here, we see His authority extended beyond the words of the Scriptures to authority over demonic spirits. His command was instantly obeyed by this spirit, just as all of creation obeyed the Word in Genesis 1. There is only one creature that was disobedient, humankind. We form our own opinions and follow the devices and desires of our own hearts until they are circumcised and made His.

Demetrius begins a persecution against Paul because it is costing him money for the message of Jesus to be proclaimed and received. He knows, however, that such a story line will only attract a limited number of people so he broadens the appeal to be nationalistic civic pride and it catches on. Jingoism is always a good way to get people to your side quickly, it appeals to a base nature within us that we are better than them, whoever them are. Here we see some who have come to the demonstration without a clue why they are there or what is actually going on. As it turns out, Alexander has better sense than any of them and quells the rebellion by appealing to Roman law that will cost them dearly if they have public demonstrations such as this. In all this, there is no religious argument at stake. It is nearly successful and yet in the end nothing was changed.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.