Acts 19:21-27 – After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. 23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
“After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.” The Holy Spirit was leading Paul to where He would next minister at. Paul was being led as we are often led. We may know in general where the Lord leads, but not all the details. If we knew all the details then it would not involve faith and the just shall walk by faith (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 11:6). Besides, people being people, if God told us all the details then we would likely try to advise God that another way is better, or perhaps become frightened in what was coming and become tempted to not be obedient. Likewise, Paul did not give his helpers all the details he had planned, but rather a broad overview. Besides, Paul did fully know what tomorrow held (James 13-15), just as he did not know that his arrival in Rome would not be him and his disciples marching or entering it in freedom, but as a prisoner being brought to stand before Caesar, as he would demand his right as a Roman citizen. (Acts 25:10-12). Yes, Paul would eventually get to Rome, and it is there he would be martyred.
“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. What we have previously seen is that it was the Jewish leaders who opposed Paul and had him mistreated and run out of town. Here we see not Jewish leaders but pagans who are opposing and slandering Paul and his work.
Demetrius was making big money in Ephesus making silver idols of the goddess Artemis (Roman goddess Diana). Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, and though said to be a virgin, was also the goddess of fertility. There were festivals dedicated to her and the temple to her, which was in Ephesus, was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Ephesus was the center of Artemis worship. So, Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths and other artisans who made their living from this religion, were making, as he states “good income from this business.” So we see that Demetrius primary reason for calling the meeting was what he first addresses, the business end of the worship of Artemis.
“26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name,” Demetrius reveals his concern, that what Paul is successfully preaching to the large numbers of people is causing them to turn from their occultism to Christianity. Demetrius points out that Paul taught was that God was not made with human hands (we might add human minds) and that would mean, as Paul’s message was believed, that these who profited from making idols of the goddess were either already having their businesses negatively impacted, or soon would be. Demetrius was, so to speak, reading the writing on the wall and accurately projecting what was in store for their business if Paul and his companions and so the Gospel, was not stopped. To him it was purely business. Unfortunately for him, his opposition was God, the true God, Himself. And the sovereign will of God cannot successfully be opposed.
“but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”” It would seem apparent that if what most concerned Demetrius and his fellow artisans was the dishonoring of Artemis, it would have been the first thing brought up and argued about. However, the worry about the honoring of Artemis was an “also” to them. They were not concerned about her, they had their own selfish interests in mind. They only bring the honor of Artemis to mind in an attempt to draw others in.
When we see modern demagogues protesting an occurring change, we ought to consider what selfish interest they really are protecting. We ought to know that the more the demagogues protest, the more they fight, the louder they are, that they are doing so because they are the ones who would likely suffer the greater loss (usually monetary) because of the change. Is their cause honorable or base, either one is possible. But all too often, the old adage “follow the money” is, although crass, true.
Demagogues who are in reality only protecting their own interests are not likely to get anyone to help them unless they can get others to think that it is in their best interest to join with the demagogues in their campaign. So lies are manufactured, or truths twisted, in order to gain support that would come to benefit, or protect, mostly if not entirely, the demagogues.
There is a way to spot these deceiving demagogues, it is to know the Word of God and to be led His Holy Spirit. It is a true saying that if we know the truth, then we will be able to spot lies. Whatever is not the truth is a lie. Sometimes though it is not clear, in those times let us “be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). God will guide. Let us consult our pastors, our teachers, and our elders who are wise in the Word and true in their walk. Though those who oppose us fight hard for us to not consult those we trust in the faith. Praise our God who will provide if we seek our answers from Him. We are children of the light and not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5, Ephesians 5:8), trust our God to always show us the light (Psalm 32:8). Praise our God whom we trust. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”