Paul has somehow gotten himself into a real dilemma! He is standing before the Jewish Sanhedrin (over 90% of which hate him with a passion) with a Roman execution squad uncomfortable nearby!
Paul clearly sensed the imminent danger … and skillfully (or craftily) used a ploy worthy of the most deft of court (trial) lawyers!
“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council (Greek = Sanhedrin), Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and RESURRECTION of the dead I am called in question.” Acts 23:6
That one key word, in that tense environment … “resurrection” … drove a wedge deeply into the theological heart of that body of proud Judges!
Let’s let Luke explain … “And when he (Paul) had so said (that single, divisive word, RESURRECTION), there arose a dissension (“stasis = a taking of sides, battle lines drawn) between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.” Verses 7 and 8 of Acts 23.
Paul has sown enough discord among the Sandedrin members that their minds are no longer (for the time being) focused on killing him … but are on defending their own specific doctrinal nuances!
Here’s the outcome: “And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.” (Verses 9 and 10, Paul rescued, by the Romans again, twice in one day!)
Paul, here in danger of being “pulled in pieces!” At least the commanding Officer thought that to be the case.
I think Paul must have been “shaken!”
But, being “wise as a serpent,” he avoided further harm, evading their deviously planned execution that singular day! (Matthew 10:16)
But, to my eyes anyway, Paul’s verbal tactic was a far cry from his usually noble self! (Jesus could have used this same approach when among His enemies … but never did! He faced them boldly and decisively and Scripturally!)
Paul’s actions that day remind me of David (the future King of Israel) on one of his less glorious days, too. When he was also in a “place” beneath his dignity, in the Land of the Philistines!
“And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad (crazy) in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.” (1 Samuel 21, the last paragraph.)
David fled to “Gath,” for protection! Where Goliath once lived? I imagine he was real popular there, having slain their favorite son! (Makes about as much sense as Paul being before the Sanhedrin to be theologically evaluated!)
But David figured a way “out!”
He acted like a crazy man! (Considered very bad “luck” back in those days, a sign of a “curse” being placed upon one’s household! A lunatic in your midst, in your presence!)
And the King-to-be (David) not only escaped, but was virtually “kicked out” of the Philistine city!
Safety resulted … but at what cost?
I fear neither Paul nor David in the situations we’ve discussed today lived up to Proverbs 28:1 … “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
I recall reading something an old British Preacher said once: “No Christian is consistently as BAD as his worst day! And no Christian is consistently as good as his BEST day!” If that’s so … I am thankful!
This much we do know … both Paul and David were far, far better followers of our Lord than their acts proved those two “low” days in their lives!
Paul was so “low” in fact, that (tomorrow’s lesson) the Lord Himself comes down to encourage His servant! A miraculous Christophany, surely.
More later, the Lord willing.
Meanwhile … to each of us a challenge … have a GOOD DAY in the Lord! And please, we pray, spare us from a BAD day! (“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13)
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
You are in no way compelled to agree with my assessment of Paul’s behavior today. As I sat down to write this morning’s lesson, that’s what the Lord gave me. I feel warned and edified, anyway.
Paul was not perfect, folks. And he never claimed to be. He in fact often emphasized his weaknesses.
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