Acts 19:35-41

Summary retelling of Acts 19:35-41

A town manager got up to speak to the assembled crowd.  The manager basically said that everyone knows that Ephesus is the city of Artemis and no single person is going to be able to take away that designation.  He then adds that they haven’t even brought anyone with them who has said things against Artemis.  The town manager then reminds Demetrius and any others that if they have a legitimate complaint against anyone that they should take it through the court system which is always open to legitimate lawsuits.  The manager reminds the crowd that they have procedures for dealing with complaints and should they continue to behave as they are behaving that they will be in danger of rioting without cause.  With that, he told everyone to go home.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

To really understand the manager’s position, we need to understand how the Roman system worked.  Rome came into an area and conquered it militarily.  Most cities would sue for terms of peace rather than fight the Roman soldiers.  Those cities would essentially be told that so long as they pay a tribute to Rome and live according to Roman rule that they could continue to manage themselves.  However, if there was any indication that they could not successfully manage themselves, the Romans would station soldiers in this city to keep peace and make sure that the tribute comes regularly.  Once Roman soldiers were stationed in a city, there would be a Roman governor appointed, official tax collectors, and there would be very little individual freedom.

In what respect can we see this process similar to God’s giving free will to all humanity?  How does knowing this history make the town manager’s words about rioting make far more sense?  What is the manager really trying to protect when he speaks?

Second Thought:

The town manager is quick to show the crowd that they are in fault.  They have a process and a procedure for dealing with legal cases like Demetrius had against Paul.  The manager knows that in addition to fearing Roman intervention he needs to fear any group of people that is so fired up to circumvent society’s appointed regulations for accomplishing legal cases like this.  There are times and places for rioting – but only when the system in place is completely broken and incapable of being trusted.  Mobs are good at anarchy and overturning corrupt regimes.  Even then, mobs are never good at handing out legitimate justice and establishing legitimate patterns of rule.

How does this understanding help us to really grasp the dangers of mob mentality?

Third Thought:

You have to give credit to the town manager for continuing to be a voice of reason.  The crowd was on the verge of rioting.  They were enthralled with the excitement.  They were primed for action – any action.  It would have been easy for the town manager to get caught up in that emotion.  But he doesn’t.  He stays calm.

How do you think the town manager was able to keep his head about him while everyone else was rioting?  What do you need to do to be able to keep your head about you during times where it is easy to get caught up in the emotional response?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 20:1-6