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W O W - T H E B I G P I C T U R E
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
The Good News Is Bad News for the Ephesian Economy
-- Acts 18:18-23; 19:11-20:3; Psalm 119:81-83; Proverbs 21:25-26
So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren
and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had
his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. And he came to
Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and
reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay a longer time with
them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, "I must by
all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again
to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus.
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church,
he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he
departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order,
strengthening all the disciples.
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even
handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the
diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some of
the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name
of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise
you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." Also there were seven sons of
Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are you?"
Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered
them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house
naked and wounded. This became known both to all Jews and Greeks
dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the
Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and
telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic
brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And
they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces
of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when
he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying,
"After I have been there, I must also see Rome." So he sent into
Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but
he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a
certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of
Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them
together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you
know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and
hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this
Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are
not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours
in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great
goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all
Asia and the world worship."
Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out,
saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" So the whole city was filled
with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having
seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.
And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not
allow him. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends,
sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. Some
therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was
confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. And
they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward.
And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to
the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one
voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of
Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the
Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the
image which fell down from Zeus? Therefore, since these things cannot
be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For you have
brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor
blasphemers of your goddess. Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow
craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are
proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have
any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful
assembly. For we are in danger of being called in question for today's
uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this
disorderly gathering." And when he had said these things, he dismissed
the assembly.
After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself,
embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Now when he had gone
over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he
was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Acts 18:18-23; 19:11-20:3
WORSHIP:
My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, "When will You comfort me?"
For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
Psalm 119:81-83
WISDOM:
The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
Proverbs 21:25-26
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