PT-2 "The Calming of the Riot" (Acts 19:35-41)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 6/24/2018 10:15 PM

My Worship Time                                                             Focus:  PT-2 “The Calming of the Riot”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Acts 19:35-41

            Message of the verses:  “35 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 “So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40  "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.”

            We learned in our last SD that the first thing that the town clerk (mayor) is to talk about the idol, although he did not call this god and idol.  He now moves on to a more serious issue:  “37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.”  This town clerk could have told lies about these Christians, but he says that they have done nothing wrong, which of course is against what Demetrius claimed of them.

            The next thing that he does is to criticize Demetrius and the craftsmen for starting this riot.  ““38 So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.”  Now I said yesterday that this town clerk (mayor) was looking out for his own job and for himself, for if the riot would continue he would be in danger of losing his job.  With that said he concludes his speech with a sobering warning:  “40  "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering."”  As I said I think in a selfish way he was looking out for himself and his job.  After this comment we read verse 41 “After saying this he dismissed the assembly.””

            John MacArthur concludes his commentary with the following:  “The Ephesian believers weathered the storm of persecution unleashed by Demetrius’s speech and the resulting riot.  Indeed, the church at Ephesus would play a prominent role in church history for several centuries.  So again in Acts, God caused the wrath of men to praise Him (Ps. 76:10).”    “10 For the wrath of man shall praise You (Psalm 76:10a).”

Answer to yesterday’s Bible question:  “Peter” (Acts 8:9).

Today’s Bible question:  “Simon the sorcerer bewitched the people of what city?”

Answer in our next SD.

6/24/2018 10:30 PM