So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
But the word of God grew and multiplied. – Acts 12.20-24
Tyre and Sidon had been defeated in battle. Herod hated them, but they sued for peace and one of Herod’s men came to him seeking peace.
Herod was thrilled with the victory and took great pride in it. He dressed up in his kingly apparel and sat on his throne and gave a speech and the people adored him. They cried out ‘this is the voice of a god and not a man.’
Immediately he was struck dead for his pride and arrogance, but the word of God grew and multiplied.
Powerful human leaders have arisen all though history. They have built great nations and powerful empires. Many of them, a surprising number, have been megalomaniac tyrants and dictators who were stuck on themselves. They were leaders who thought they had done it all themselves. Their pride elevated them to the point where they claimed credit for all they had done. Many became immensely popular with the people because no matter what kind of person they were what they were doing worked. That was the case here with Herod. He had brought peace with Tyre and Sidon and the people adored him to the point of worship.
However his pride was his end. God brought him down and his power was over.
It is important to note here though that while Herod was brough low the word of God contiunued and it has been for the 2000 years since. Dictators and tyrants and empires and great nations have risen and fallen, but the word of God continued and continues on. The Kingdom of God is still going forward today and one day, despite all we see, the Kingdom of God will win out.
Those who God elevates He is also able to bring down.
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