Give God the Glory
Herod like many before and after him tried to destroy the Church. After being humbled by the miraculous deliverance of Peter he continued to oppose Jesus, and hold himself up to being some kind of god. The following events in Acts contrast Herod with Jesus, and show how all attempts at destroying the Church, the bride of Christ, only succeed in glorifying Jesus Christ and building up His Church. We can grow our faith in Christ by learning from these events and trusting that Jesus Christ is still in control and still using all the attacks against Him and His Church, to grow her and bring Glory where it is due. To God alone.
Scripture
Acts 12:20-25 ESV Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. [21] On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. [22] And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” [23] Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. [24] But the word of God increased and multiplied. [25] And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Bible Study Questions
God saves the Church from famine
We know from the previous chapter that Judea, including Tyre and Sidon were suffering famine. Although this could have threatened the Church in Judea, God raised up the gentile Church in Antioch to provide food for them before it was even necessary. Famine would not destroy the Church.
Acts 11:28-30 ESV And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). [29] So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. [30] And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
People looking to Herod to save them
Herod not only tried to destroy the Church of Jesus, but was also seen as some kind of saviour. Instead of looking to God for salvation like the Church did, people looked to gain favour with Herod to save them. Who is it who feeds us, and keeps us alive, physically and spiritually?
Acts 12:20 ESV Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.
John 6:32-36 ESV Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” [34] They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” [35] Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. [36] But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
Herod presents himself
In his pride, Herod responded to the calls for rescue, parading himself as a saviour. He trusted in his appearance, authority and eloquence to exploit their suffering for his own glory. Who is the only one who deservers the glory for His mercy, power and grace?
Acts 12:21 ESV On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
Romans 8:31-35 ESV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Flattery to to save themselves
The people responded to Herod’s shallow arrogance with flattery, knowing they could gain his assistance and survive the famine in this way. Have you noticed how flattery and pride feed each other, how do they work together?
Acts 12:22 ESV And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Psalms 12:2-4 ESV Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. [3] May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, [4] those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”
Herod’s pride humbled
God will not share His Glory with anyone. He desires that all people should come to know Him and His loving mercy and almighty power. Jesus desires to save us from far more than just physical threats. When someone gets in the way of that they can face His immediate judgment. Herod’s attempt at usurping the glory of Jesus Christ and drawing people away from Him is dealt with severely. How does God view pride?
Acts 12:23 ESV Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Isaiah 42:6-9 ESV “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, [7] to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. [8] I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. [9] Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
The Word of God Multiplied
Herod’s pride and arrogance in humiliated in the most extreme way, the lowest of creatures, worms, bring down the mighty arrogant king. He’s shown to be nothing greater than any other human being, all of whom will return to the dust from which we were made. Who is the one who’s body never saw decay and who’s Kingdom is still increasing?
Acts 12:24 ESV But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 2:22-27 ESV “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— [23] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. [24] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. [25] For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; [26] therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. [27] For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
Christ the Only Saviour delivers His Church
While Jesus continues to build His Church by spreading His Word, His followers continue their work, unhindered by Herod, the famine and every other threat. What can we take from the trials that we face in the Church today?
Acts 12:25 ESV And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Matthew 16:18-19 ESV And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”