The book of Acts has an accurate record of the history of the foundation of the church. It is a marvelous book with tremendous truth. It is also filled with some of the funniest situations.
My favorite out of this book occurs after Paul’s arrest in Acts 23:12-33. One of the things about this story that should bring a chuckle is the obvious schmoozing lie the centurion told in his letter to Felix. That he wrote to make himself look good is a pretty good commentary on the permanence of a sinful character in man.
Use your imagination and pretend you are one of the forty men who have put themselves under a curse. In an age when your word is your bond and breaking a vow is the ruination of not only your name but also your family name. We will not eat, nor drink until we kill Paul. How would you feel watching Paul leave town on a horse surrounded by 400 armed combat-trained infantry and 70-armed men on horses?
Wouldn’t you like to hear the conversation they had among themselves as they watched their enemy leave town? Probably they were not too happy.
I can’t help but wonder did these guys move out of the area? How did they get out of their vow? Did they die hungry and thirsty? Probably not.
2 comments:
Always reading between the lines to see the unsaid. Does something need to be said, though, when it is so obvious?
Hypocrisy and empty threats have been distilled into a potent brew since the days of Paul. They are just as prevalent and even more insidious today.
They probably ate, just with red faces!
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