Acts 23:11-35 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem… Note that hatred — I. RISES EARLY, but love rises earlier. When morning came the Jews sought Paul's life, but the Lord had stood by Paul long before the morning dawned. II. ALWAYS BINDS MEN WITH A CURSE, and the curse is on the haters, not on the hated. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. III. DEMANDS SATISFACTION, THOUGH BODILY WANTS GO UNSATISFIED. But no soul can live long on hatred's poison. IV. DEMANDS SATISFACTION, BUT IT DOES NOT SECURE IT, WHEN LOVE APPOINTS OTHERWISE. These plotting Jews died of thirst and starvation if they were faithful to their murderous vow. V. IS INJUDICIOUS. It confides its murderous designs to forty men, half of whom are probably constitutionally unable to keep a secret. VI. IS PROMPT AND ENERGETIC. It were well if more of Christ's followers had a little of the fiery zeal for Christ that His enemies display against Christ. VII. IS LYING, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, mean. Under the pretence of sending for Paul to question, it makes ready to stab him. (K. Gerok.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. |
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