The Death of Herod Agrippa I
Acts 12: 18-25 NLT
“At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.”- Acts 12:18-19
It appears that for reasons unknown to the reader, Herod Agrippa was irate with the two coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon. Being aware of his anger, both cities sent a delegation to appease the King. They were granted an audience with Agrippa. When the day arrived the King donned royal robes, sat on his throne, and make a speech to them. The delegation feigned praise for him, giving the King a great ovation, shouting “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” (Acts 12:22). Because the praise apparently pleased Herod and didn’t cause him to reject such an honor, noting that praise of that magnitude belonged only to Almighty God, an angel of God immediately struck him with a dreadful sickness which resulted in a horribly painful death. Herod Agrippa I was literally eaten alive from the inside out by worms.
Pride is a very serious sin. It’s kin, arrogance is also very much a sin. It flies in the face of our need to be selfless and humble. Those who allow pride and arrogance to tamp down their work for the kingdom shall not enter into God’s kingdom, unless forgiveness is obtained. One must make sure the heart is in it’s proper relational status with the Lord, thus allowing their motivation to be pure. Here we see that God punished Herod’s sin at the exact moment it was committed. He doesn’t always do that. We know evil is allowed to exist in the world for a time, but we can be assured that all evil will be dealt with at the precise moment that it needs to be. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
RL Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
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