When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
Comment: What are we supposed to get from this easy to read narrative. Maybe we can see that God oversees and uses normal means to work out his plan? We’ve learnt that in God’s overall plan Paul is to end up in Rome. Paul’s nephew somehow hears of the plan to kill his Uncle. It seems so ‘human’ for the message to pass along to the Tribune, who in the past has been on Paul’s side. ‘Leave it me, and keep your mouth shut!’ is his answer to the nephew. We’ll hear more tomorrow.
Prayer: Thank You that we live in the Shadow of Your Wings, even if You discipline and grow us, Father God.
As I read it! 