Good morning! Good day yesterday- had the opportunity to get 7 miles in at Shindagin State Forest (near Candor) . Great day to be out in the woods!
We begin our story this morning with Festus as the new governor. Festus was known as a good and honest person (in contrast to Felix); he only survived two or three years after obtaining this position. Remember- Paul is in prison in Cesarea; the term prison is a loose term as it was really protective custody from the Jews that wanted him dead (v 3).
The Jews requested a change of venue, but Festus rejected it. We are not sure if he knew of their intentions to kill Paul and that this drove the rejection or he just didn't see a need for a change. At any rate, the result of this new "trial" was the same- lots of accusations, but no evidence (v 7). Paul basically responds, "I told you so!" (v 8).
Seeing no change in attitude, Festus suggests to Paul to go to Jerusalem. Paul, possibly assuming a death plot, says that he'd rather stand trial in front of Caesar (v 10). He wasn't afraid if facing the lions, but he'd rather not put his head in the lion' mouth if he could avoid it! Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal court decisions to the emperor (Caesar Nero in this case; v 11); this would be similar to a supreme court trail in the United States. Although Nero was know as a wicked and ruthless ruler, in his early years (which would be now), Nero was highly regarded as an honest and just ruler. To use a statement Jack used yesterday, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." How many people do we know have changed in their philosophy (I guess both good or bad) under the influence of others so that they will be better accepted? Paul is making the request for an appeal since he believes the evidence is in his corner.
Agrippa II and Bernice visit Festus in Caesarea (v 13) and Festus begins to retell the story of Paul's trial to Agrippa II; Agrippa II was an expert in Jewish law and tradition. He didn't have jurisdiction over the case, but was providing "expert testimony" even though Festus knew there wasn't enough evidence to convict Paul. [Side note- Agrippa II great-grandfather was the Kind Herod Agrippa that was out to kill all the baby boys less than 2 years old in the Matthew birth narrative; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded in Matthew 14 and Mark 6; his father martyred James. Good family lineage! Another point of interest- Bernice is Agrippa II sister and it was common knowledge that the "knew" each other!]
Agrippa II and Bernice come with great pageantry and pomp and circumstance, they are "acting like very important people" (v 23) even though they really aren't; they have no jurisdiction and can really only offer advice to Festus. Do we know people that like to act like they are great and have influence yet they don't?
Paul is brought into the courtroom and even Festus says he found no evidence for a death sentence (v 25). Sounds like an open and shut case! The closing line (v 27) in my translation is "I think it is foolish to send a prisoner to Caesar without telling what charges are against him." Festus is having a difficult time drumming up charges, so he is hoping Agrippa II can find some fault in Paul!
Paul's trial begins tomorrow! I'm excited to hear what Paul has to say!!
Enjoy the day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Festus takes over from Felix and the Jews still want Paul killed even after two years They want Paul brought to Jerusalem so he can be killed on the way. G
ReplyDeleteFestus says he will look into it when he returns to Caesarea and the jews can come there to bring their charges against him . Paul refuses to go to Jerusalem and appeals to be tried befpre Caesar which is his right as a roman citizen. Festus knows that Paul is innocent of the charges and asks King Agrippa to help him write a statement to the Emperor of Paul's charges.. God is setting Paul up to go the Rome to bring the Word to the Romans.. God works in many ways. It's amazing that it takes 2 years under arrest for God to get Paul to Rome. One has to wonder why God took so long for Paul to get to Rome.. What am I missing for this reasoning was it because we needed for Felix to be replaced by Festus?
Cooler days ahead and possible snow Sometimes winter doesn't want to let go.
Two years does seem like a long time, but the way I see it- Paul wasn't dangerous and there was no real case- so maybe there was some stalling in getting the case to trial. Felix and then Festus weren't sure of repercussions of any decision that needed to be made, so maybe they were protecting themselves too?!
DeleteJosephus, a famous and trusted historian of the time, commented that Felix was called to Rome under indictment for a brutal rebuttal to a Jewish uprising between Jews and Gentiles in Caesarea. He was ultimately prosecuted for his cruel intervention and removed from office. Festus was the next in line. Felix was very anti-Christian and brutal, and although he found no fault with Paul, he probably would have convicted Paul to death if this replacement didn't happen.
Good question Clara!
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ReplyDeleteThis is one of those time where things seem hopeless. No evidence and yet still the trial doesn’t end. So much depends on the personalities involved. Isn’t it the same today? Yesterday I saw a commercial on tv where a man who had been a lifelong smoker was blaming his doctor for not starting testing years ago so his cancer would have been found sooner. It was an ad by a lawyer suggesting that litigation against the doctor might work. Again, evidence would have to fabricated to make this believable. I think every day winning or losing trials depends on which lawyer can be most persuasive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say- there isn't any real difference between then and now! And I make a similar comment about those commercials! Good lawyers win cases regardless of the evidence!
DeleteThanks Cathy!
Rainy and cool for the past two days here in Philly! But NO snow expected!!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine 2 years have gone by with Paul in bondage before this chapter begins. Two years is a very long time - and both last chapter and this chapter mentions the word bondage - and only because Felix wanted to please the Jews. Poor Paul would still be there if Felix had not been replaced by Festus. In my translation - KJV - it says in vs. 3 that Festus was told of the plot to kill Paul if he goes back to Jerusalem. I think both Felix and Festus wanted that to happen so the trouble of having a trial and trying to find some evidence to put Paul to death would be over! Especially since Paul had certain rights as a Roman Citizen. And I am sure that Paul knew of the death plot since there were certain Jews who took the vow and certain there would be others!! Festus seems like a good guy with Leaving Paul in Cesarea. luckily, Paul could refuse to go to Jerusalem but insist on being tried in the higher court. As always, Paul is very brave to note that if he has done anything wrong that you can prove - put me to death. He was quite certain - I am sure I would NOT make that statement! Wasn't Agrippa a King? And had jurisdiction over Cesarea and Jerusalem? And as such, wouldn't he deserve some pomp and circumstance? So here we are - innocent according to Felix, innocent according to Festus. I am anxious to see what King Agrippa has to say!
I know people say - The more things change the more they stay the same, but if you look at the history of humans and the history of Americans a lot has changed and changed for the better - although, as humans, there will be evil. God/Jesus is with us but, unfortunately, so is the devil.
The word bondage is used, but it wasn't a chained to the wall type bandage. Paul was given quiet a few liberties, so it was more of a house arrest than "real" prison, but still- 2 years is a long time! And I am sure Felix especially wouldn't have minded if Paul was executed in the trip to Jerusalem! But, things change when Paul makes his citizenship announcement. Festus was a very fair and honest ruler- unfortunately he died only after a few years in the governorship.
DeleteAgrippa was a king, but of a small territory named Chalcis; he was given authority to name the high priest of the temple in Jerusalem, but had no power in Jerusalem.
Lots of players involved in this case of Paul- all with some unique and interesting personalities!
Thanks Donna!
Are Morgan and Bobbi-Jo in Vermont now? I thought they were in Washington State. Where in Vermont are they? (Just curious)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Paul has defied death again. It Festus decided to try Paul in Jerusalem, it would have been curtains for Paul! If Festus knew of the plot, he was wise to head it off. If not, Paul was lucky again. I guess I am assuming that Paul would have been protected by Roman soldiers if he went to stand trial in Rome. If this wasn't the case, it seem that the Jews could carry out their plot to kill him on the road to Rome. In any case, it appears that the evidence against Paul is pretty thin, so he would be acquitted (did this word even exist in those times?) in any trial. The only way for the Jews to get rid of him was to kill him.
Yes, Morgan and Bobbi-Jo moved to Vermont in the fall. They were in Washington and Oregon last year....they move around lots but it is looking like VT may be a long term stay! But, if they get snow like is predicted for today there, they may move out! We had a pic this morning with about 5 inches of snow in their yard!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Roman guard would have saved Paul if he did travel to Jerusalem?
Like Jesus, the only was to control Paul is death! Unfortunately for Paul- and Jesus!
Thanks Jack!