Acts chapter 23 verses 12 – 16 (NIV)
The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 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.”
But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
Romans chapter 8 verse 31 (NIV)
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
No one can thwart God’s plans. If we are opposed, no matter how seriously, God will make a way to ensure His plans succeed. These men were serious about getting rid of Paul, but it was a very rash vow that they made. They would have had no way of knowing that Paul’s nephew would hear of their plans. He was in the right place at the right time; there’s no such thing as mere coincidence in God’s economy. We never read of Paul’s family anywhere else but here, and I wonder if this young man was in training to follow in his uncle Paul’s footsteps? How else might he have had access to the chief priests and elders? We can be reassured that nothing is hidden from God. He will work things out and ensure things are put in place to make sure His will is done. But those who attempt to stand against Him need to be careful of what they plan to do. I wonder how many of those forty men suffered the consequences of their vow?
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your hand on our lives. Thank You for the courage and obedience of Paul’s nephew. Help me to be sensitive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit, so that I too can act as He directs, no matter what. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.