求人的榮耀的希律 — 使徒行傳讀經隨筆 第12章

使徒行傳第十二章裏使徒彼得在猶太被希律王抓進了監裏，主的使者來救他，彼得的鐵鏈就從他手上自動脫落，然後彼得和天使穿過第一層和第二層監牢，來到了臨街的鐵門，鐵門便自動打開了。他們出來走過一條街，天使便離開了。從彼得的被救過程可見，人所造的監牢對神來說就是形同虛設。希律後來到了該撒利亞，選定了一個日子，穿上朝服，坐在王位上，向老百姓講話，威風不可一世，求人的榮耀。老百姓也對他的講話溜須拍馬說：“這是神的聲音，不是人的聲音”，希律聽後洋洋自得，卻不歸榮耀給神，所以主的使者立刻懲罰他，希律就被蟲所咬，氣就絕了。這也算給被他迫害的基督徒報了仇，包括使徒雅各。之後神的道日見興旺，越發廣傳。

徒12:10 過了第一層第二層監牢、就來到臨街的鐵門．那門自己開了。他們出來、走過一條街、天使便離開他去了。
When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
徒12:11 彼得醒悟過來、說、我現在真知道主差遣他的使者、救我脫離希律的手、和猶太百姓一切所盼望的。
When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."
徒12:21 希律在所定的日子、穿上朝服、坐在位上、對他們講論一番。
On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.
徒12:22 百姓喊著說、這是 神的聲音、不是人的聲音。
The people shouted, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!"
徒12:23 希律不歸榮耀給 神、所以主的使者立刻罰他．他被蟲所咬、氣就絕了．
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
徒12:24 神的道日見興旺、越發廣傳。
But the word of God grew and multiplied.