Acts 12:18-23 (ESV)

Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

The Jewish historian Josephus recounts the same action, but includes some extra details.

And presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place, and another from another (though not for his good), that he was a god; and they added, “Be thou merciful to us; for although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature.” Upon this the king did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. … A severe pain also arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, “I whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying words you just now said to me; and I, who was called by you immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death.” – Antiquities 19:8.2 (345-347a)

His flatterers didn’t just call him a god; they made specific reference to immortality. That made his punishment apt.

But it’s curious that Herod instantly figures out that this isn’t just random; he calls it providence. He’s not a believer but he can feel the weight of God’s judgment in more than just his stomach. He gets it, a bit late, but he still gets it.

This shows how no one is ever really that far from an instant conversion. That’s a recurring theme in Acts. Some, like Saul, get to live out great destinies. Others, like Herod or Ananias and Sapphira, are only object lessons.

You never can tell who’s going to be next.

One thing we often do wrong is assume that we know what God should do. So we spend most of our prayer time telling him. We need to reverse that.

We can’t ask God to reveal what he’s going to do next – that’s way above our pay grade – but we can ask for guidance about what we should do. Ask the Lord to direct you to pray for a specific person’s salvation. Try not to pick the person yourself. Hold nominations open for as long as you can.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies