The Providence And Protection Of God Series

LET US PRAY:

Grant us the faith to believe you and trust you fully, for all that you’ve revealed to us in your holy Word. May we be enlightened by your Word again and be encouraged today.

Bless this time, we pray, in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

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We saw last week how Paul was rescued from the chaotic end to the Council meeting.

• Fearing for his life, the commander stepped in yet again and ordered his soldiers to take Paul away.

• We concluded with the words of the Lord to Paul - Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

The Lord was with Paul and knew all that he has transpired in Jerusalem. “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem” means God has been watching over him.

• Paul was not alone in the trials, although it might seemed so to us, when we are going through trials in life, especially in ministry.

• The Lord came especially to him on the following night, to encourage him – “take courage” - and assured him that he will testify for him in Rome.

God has not been distant, passive or unconcerned with the plight of Paul.

• He might not have immuned him from all troubles but God is not unconcerned.

• Our heavenly Father cares for our plight in life, so hang in there and trust Him, when you are going through difficult times.

God spoke to declare His sovereign purpose for Paul, that he might testify in Rome.

• This would be most comforting to Paul, because it means that from now until he reaches Rome, Paul would be fine, under God’s watchful eyes.

• We are going to see it being unfold in the next few chapters.

Let’s read the Word of God - Acts 23:12-15.

12 The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here."

The next morning, we have more than 40 men binding themselves under oath not to eat or drink until they killed Paul.

• And they created the opportunity for this to happen – get Paul out of the barracks and ambush him.

• They went to the Council leaders and suggested this plot. "Petition the commander to bring him before the Council on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." (23:15)

We would expect the religious leaders to hesitate over such a devious act, or to rebuke these men for having such a murderous thought.

• With the wicked Ananias as presiding high priest, the Council connived with the evil men and agreed to lie and deceive the Roman commander, and thus becoming willing accomplices to the murder of an innocent man.

• We have seen, over the past two chapters, how Paul’s trials resembled that of Jesus, with the accusers coming against them with false accusations and with the intention to kill them.

Did it work? No, absolutely not! Something amazing happened – Acts 23:16-19.

16 But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him." 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you."

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?"

Somehow, in some unexpected way, this secret plot was discovered, surprisingly.

• The window of opportunity to stop this is really narrow, only one day.

• And the surprise upon surprise is that this plot was discovered by Paul’s nephew.

• This was the first time we heard of Paul’s relatives; so he has a sister and a nephew.

• This young man “happens to be” in the right place, at the right time to have overheard or heard from someone, about the plot.

This is not luck. This is not coincidence. This is not chance, but the providence of God.