Dig In:
Passage: Acts 12
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-4 - King Herod captures and kills James and when he saw how well that played in the polls (even with thousands of new converts in Jerusalem, the majority of people still scorn Christianity), Herod captures Peter as well for a "public trial." The more things change, the more they stay the same.
v5-19 - With Peter in prison, the church began praying 'earnestly,' and God answered those prayers in a big way by springing Peter from a maximum security prison. The problem is that nobody believed it was actually happening - either Peter (v9) or those praying (v15). When we ask God for what we want after aligning ourselves with His will, we shouldn't be astonished He answers our prayers.
v20-24 - The murderous Herod first kills the guards who had no idea where their prisoner was, and then holds a big gala to celebrate a massive trade deal he just got the better end of, but he comes to an inglorious end in which he's eaten by worms while wearing his royal robes (although it may have been a several week process of disease rather than an instant devouring).
Don't miss the humor and irony in this chapter!
Luke's use of the phrase "no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter' (v18). There wasn't a small commotion because there was likely a really, really big commotion. These soldiers knew their lives were in jeopardy for losing Peter.
The servant girl Rhoda leaving Peter out in the dark (v14).
Immediately after telling of Herod's gruesome death, Luke somewhat nonchalantly states, 'But the word of God continued to spread and flourish (v24).' Take that, Herod.
Old Testament References - Add even more value to your daily Bible reading by reading a related passage from the Old Testament
Daniel 3 - Read of another occasion of where God protected his people with angels from a murderous king.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize.
How would you summarize this entire chapter in one sentence?
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our sovereign Father whose works all things out for His glory
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to help you recognize the ways He's answering your prayers
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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