📖 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Several things popped out at me;
Paul and Silas were going about their business, which was the business of the Lord. In the verses previous to this passage they had been traveling where God led them. At one point looking for a place to pray, when they met up with a group of women with whom they shared the gospel. A woman, who was a worshiper of God, named Lydia was so moved by Paul's words she was baptized and invited them to come to her home. They spoke truth and the gospel to her and her whole household worshipped the Lord in action.
They continued on and met up with a fortune telling, demon possessed woman who harassed them for days until Paul had had enough and cast the demon out. Which angered the men who exploited her because their money maker was a changed woman.
This is what caused the men to bring Paul and Silas before the authorities and ended with them being beaten and thrown into prison.
They continued on and met up with a fortune telling, demon possessed woman who harassed them for days until Paul had had enough and cast the demon out. Which angered the men who exploited her because their money maker was a changed woman.
This is what caused the men to bring Paul and Silas before the authorities and ended with them being beaten and thrown into prison.
Now on a side note....Roman prisons in biblical times were NOT like prisons today...at least not the Modern facilities we have around my area.
They were dark, dank holes in the ground or built of rock. They were large holding "cells" meant for detaining criminals only until their trial and or punishment. Rarely was it meant as long term punishment. Hence such basic necessities such as bathroom facilities, light, or fresh air were not thought to be too important.
Also..because it was one large holding area those imprisoned were bound individually by shackles (wrist irons and chains) to ankles, hands or both. This large cell was then guarded by a large iron door manned by Roman soldiers or guards.
So you can imagine the conditions for Paul and Silas. They would have been aware of what prison conditions were like, but doing God's work, when the opportunity arose, was more important.
Another thing was the fact that they were singing songs of praise..AFTER being beaten and thrown into this dark cell and chained.
And not quietly amongst themselves...how do I know this...because of the statement that jumped out at me.
"We are ALL here"!
When the God induced earthquake thundered through the prison it broke all the shackles and opened the gates....but nobody left! Why would that be? Fear, some might say...but I dont think fear would hold everyone there, especially when the very glimmer of escape might be a ray of hope worth the risk....I believe it was another Ray of Hope that grabbed them....the one that was introduced when Paul and Silas began singing songs of praise!
Do you think the jailer would have responded the way he did if a handful of prisoners...or just Paul and Silas had stayed behind? I don't...he would have continued with his plan of running himself through with his own sword...or been frantic trying to search and seize the escapees.
Paul and Silas did not let their circumstance change their love and joy for the Lord...and anyone around them knew that! And it changed lives!
Why do we grumble so when we have to stand in line at the store, stay late at work, are asked to do extra jobs....even when we are sick? And all the other times we grumble?
📖 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
These are all opportunities to sing praises to God and have a peaceful countenance..so that we can affect those around us.
We too can change lives!
You know that even if noone is around...God still hears us...whether it is grumbling or praising!
And He desires to hear our praises!
📖 This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, ....Jeremiah 31;7
📖 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6
That doesn't mean we can't cry out to Him in prayer over our circumstances....but after we have done that...praise Him for hearing, being there and trust He will see us through!
So start singing those praises!
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