In Acts 12, King Herod puts James, the brother of John to death. Because this pleased many of the people (the anti-Christian Jews), Herod proceeded to arrest Peter and held him in order to bring him to a public trial after the impending Passover.
It is clear that because of the praying Church, Peter was supernaturally released (an escape) through the work of a God appointed angel. It’s an awesome miracle and a “must read.”
After his escape, Peter became a wanted man and went into hiding, even leaving a message for James the ½ brother of Jesus (and author of the book of James) about what happened.
But God had another plan. He did not want Peter to be a man in hiding but wanted him to be a preacher of the gospel and a public figure. And so God worked His plan to remove Herod which would allow Peter to freely move about once again. Let’s pick it up at Acts 12:19b.
Acts 12:19b-25 (NIV)
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured 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.
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24But the word of God continued to increase and spread.
25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Fascinating!!! Nowhere do we read that Herod was struck down for coming against Peter. And in the final portion of the scripture, it is stated that the Word of God continued to increase and spread in general, though we know that this included the ministry of Peter. Instead, it was Herod’s weakness for people pleasing that brought him down. Just as he had arrested Peter in an effort to gain more popularity, it was his receiving of praise and glory from people and not acknowledging God which killed him.
You see, Herod was the King of God’s chosen people and in this position, he was God’s anointed vessel. In this case as in many cases even today, God’s way of dealing with someone who stands in the way of His Kingdom is to give them enough rope to hang themselves. It was through an unrelated situation but with the same heart issue in play which became Herod’s demise.
Herod would have known through his training in Hebrew scriptures that his gifts and talents and placement in life were all God given. Nobody has talent unless the Lord gives them the talent and nobody rises unless the Lord raises them up. But our God is a jealous God and we must give Him all of the credit and acknowledgement literally for everything and every step along the way.
In Herod’s case this was amplified, even accelerated by the fact that God intended to remove him because of his actions against the Church.
This is a reminder to all, whether a follower of Christ or not, whether a friend of the gospel or a foe (there is no such thing as neutral), that it will always be in our best interest never to receive the praises of man, but instead to quickly, carefully and enthusiastically deflect all of these to our maker. And furthermore, let us all be careful not to become enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no greater target on earth then the man who stands in the way of the ever increasing Kingdom of God! Especially a man or woman who is intent on receiving the praises and the accolades of men which are by design, reserved only for God.
Praises from man are one of the most basic tests that many of us are given on a regular basis. Especially those in the public eye of ministry. Humility is not only a key to achieving increase in God’s Kingdom, but it is necessary for our survival not only here on earth, but eternally.
