April 11, 2023 | Be On Mission
Herod’s Demise & Mission Preparations
Scripture: Acts 12:18-25(NIV)
18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Devotional
Yesterday we saw how Peter was miraculously freed from prison by an angel, even though he was “guarded by four squads of four soldiers each” (v. 4). Now, Herod Agrippa I ordered that those sixteen soldiers be executed under Roman law. This took place in Jerusalem, which is in the southern region of Judea.
Jews thought of Jerusalem as their capital. Not much has changed. Just a few years ago, the U.S. embassy was moved to Jerusalem, recognizing it as the capital of Israel. This has been a topic of controversy for thousands of years.
At the time of Acts 12, the Roman Empire considered Caesarea (look at its name) as the capital of Palestine (the name they gave to the region of Israel). See the devotion for Week 13, Day 3 for more about this modern, political and commercial capital city. Indeed, Caesarea was where Herod Agrippa I made his home and headquarters.
And it was there that Herod Agrippa I died from the inside out, all dressed in royal robes and enthroned above the people who declared him to be a god. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” How does this relate to the rise and fall of Herod?
How does it relate to you? Are there any ways in which you have taken credit for the blessings and works of God in your life?
Take some time right now to jot down or declare the activity of God in your life. What has He given you? How has He blessed you? When has he rescued you? Where is He taking you? Why has He loved you?
After you have named a long list of blessings, give credit where credit is due. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for his presence in your life.
Poem
Angel Orders
Acts 12:23a
Go, guard the gates of Eden
Go, strike down Babel’s pride
Go, speak to promised Abram
Go, Jacob’s ladder stride
Go, minister to prophets
Go, block the way of fools
Go, fight my people’s battles
Go, stir the healing pools
Go, sing the Incarnation
Go, warn in visions’ night
Go, seek out my Beloved
Go, salve his soul to might
Go, throw the demons over
Go, stand guard at the tomb
Go, usher Son to heaven
Go, send Herods to doom
Go, meet the saints a-marching
Go, bow down at the throne
Go, with your Captain glorious
Go, bring the exiles home
