“When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there. Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was fed by the king’s country. On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:19–23).
Perhaps at least partly due to the embarrassment he experienced over the mysterious disappearance of Peter, Herod was in no mood to be trifled with. As king, he was used to being fawned over and recent events had left him especially needy for human accolades. The meeting with the residents of Tyre and Sidon might be just what he needed to boost his sagging ego. As he took his place before the crowd in all his royal finery, I can imagine Herod smiling as he heard the swelling cry of the adoring masses: “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
But God wasn’t smiling. Sometimes, the judgment of God is delayed. But this was not one of those times. For accepting praise that only the true God of heaven deserved, Herod was immediately judged by God and died shortly thereafter. This event serves as a reminder to resist any temptation to carelessly bask in glory due to God. Judgment may not be as swift as in Herod’s case, but God still notices. It’s territory where both humans and angels should fear to tread (Acts 10:25-26; 14:11-15; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).
God loves you!
Mike
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