The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 23:1-5, “And Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, ‘Brethren, I have lived my life with a

perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.’

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit to try me

according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?’

4 But the bystanders said, ‘Do you revile God’s high priest?’

5 And Paul said, ‘I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak

evil of a ruler of your people.”’”

Were you ever angry at a teacher? or at a boss? I’m sure we’ve all at some time been angry at someone. Anger is not always sinful. Have you not done or said something for which you were afterward ashamed? You were right; but, you were ashamed at the manner in which you took opposition. This passage clearly shows that the Apostle Paul was no “pussy foot!” The Corinthians criticized his speech; nevertheless, there were times when he just “told it like it was!”

Paul had been brought before the Jewish Council and had just begun to speak, when Ananias, the high priest, commanded members to strike Paul on the mouth. Paul flared quite rightly and called the priest a deceiver – a “whitewashed wall” — and challenged his legal right to have had him struck. When challenged, Paul did not strictly apologize (for the priest had violated Jewish Law); however,

he feigned something of an apology when he admitted that he did not know it was the high priest who had given the order. Paul then quoted the Law saying, “…it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Nowhere in the United States Constitution is there a prohibition against speaking against our rulers. Our Constitution gives the citizenry the authority to elect who we want to be our leader. At the same time, it makes sense that we speak well of those in authority over us. That does not mean that we have to agree with everything they say or do; it does, however, give the leader time (four years) to demonstrate his leadership. When we speak “ugly” about our leaders, the reflection falls back on us.

There are things that all rulers do and say that are viewed as out-of-bounds with the people-at-large. We have the Constitutional right to speak against things we do not view as helpful. But, when we engage in

petty “put-downs” aimed at the leaders, we send the wrong signal. We should be a people of prayer. Do we not believe that all things lie in the Hands of Almighty God? Then, let us pray earnestly that He will guide those who lead our nation, that our nation might glorify God among all the peoples of the world! “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

Prayerfully and Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need until He becomes all that we have.”