Acts 23:1-10
I’ve always thought it was clever of Paul to get the Pharisees and Sadducees fighting one another. I’m not sure it was much of an evangelistic tool, but I’m not sure Paul had a great deal of evangelism on his mind at that point – though, certainly, evangelism is never far from Paul’s thoughts!!
And Paul said, “…it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” (v. 5) Since I am clearly guilty of Paul’s admonishment in this verse, I looked up that Old Testament quote (Exodus 22:28). Specifically, it says, You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. So thankfully, even though I have spoken evil of (some of) our leaders, I have not specifically cursed them. In fact, I have made it a point to pray for them whenever I think about it, as we do every Sunday at church. In this day and age, our political leaders in both parties are clearly in need of prayer!!
Slava Bohu!
I was pondering the Sadducees. They didn’t believe in resurrection, angels, or the spirit, only the Pentateuch, as compared to Pharisees. That means they tossed out many of the psalms, the prophets, all the foretelling of the Christ. No wonder they struggled.
As I’ve heard it, Debbie, that’s why they’re sad, you see…
Sorry, Fred, but splitting hairs on “cursed” vs. “speaking evil of” sounds a bit like asking, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) Even so, you are correct that we all need to be praying for our leaders, whether we like them or agree with them or not.