Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Acts 12 Pleased That He Persecuted Him Acts 12:3 reveals much about the Jews who opposed the church in the first century. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread (Act. 12:3). The Jews were happy that James got what they thought he deserved, which was that Herod killed James with the sword. Have you seen something like this happen? I once saw an elder rebuke a preacher whom a deacon did not like. The deacon enjoyed it. Later I saw the kind of man the deacon was and I understood why he enjoyed seeing a righteous man persecuted. Once an enemy of mine fell, and I rejoiced. A preacher friend of mine rebuked me gently, showing me Proverbs 24:17, 18. I immediately repented and have always tried to remember that Proverbs passage. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. (Pro. 24:17, 18). Later in the story of Acts 12, Herod found out what happens when you persecute someone, enjoy it, and do it for the enjoyment of others. God killed Herod. Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100 http://www.plymouth-church.com/dons_corner2.html http://associate.com/groups/emaildevotionals/