The Vow

Acts 23:12-15

“12 The next morning some 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 the 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 people who hated Paul, hated him so much that some of them swore an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed him.  This oath to kill Paul was sworn to God, the same God that was working in the life of Paul, leading Paul on his missionary missions, and revealing truths through Paul that were upsetting to the Jews.  

This intent to kill Paul was made known to and approved by the members of the Sanhedrin, who were religious leaders whose purpose was to be an example of and to  lead people to God.

Both the Jews who swore an oath to God and the members of the Sanhedrin who served as examples of God, thought they were pleasing God by their actions.  But they were actually working against God and the person God had chosen to communicate His truth (Paul).

As Christians, do we know God?  Are we listening to God? Do we know where God is leading?  Are we working to fulfill God’s truth…

 or are we working against God’s will?

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)