Acts 19:28-41 – When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. 32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
“When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. These people thought that Artemis, the main goddess of their city, was being defiled. Among the ardent of false religions and cultic beliefs, especially where they are concentrated, they will quickly rally and unite if a threat is thought. Growing mobs develop rallying cries and this one had as theirs “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.!” Shouting their cry other easy excitable people joined the mob, though they may have known nothing else about the cause but the chant. It is no different today.
“Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.” When Paul found out what was happening he wanted to rush into the theater and preach the Gospel and defend himself, but the disciples that were with him, justifiably fearing for his safety, prevented him from doing so. Likewise the officials of the province begged him to not go into the theater lest the rioters tear Paul physically apart. These officials seemed to have known Paul and had concern for Paul, but definitely they were also concerned that word about the unrest would get to Rome. Rome could come down very hard on the city if they deemed it was not in control.
“The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” Some might assume that Luke was being sarcastic, or mocking, in this description. However, for one who considers that the Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-14, 2 Peter 1:20-21) then this would not be an exception. It is more likely that Luke was merely describing the situation as it was. The fact that many people would be there and not know fully, if at all, what is going on, is not surprising. There have been many reporters on live television that interview people in a large group who are holding signs of protestation but when interviewed, they know very little of the group cause. Or, as one pastor relates, that a crowd can gather around a public fight very quickly so that the people on the outside of the crowd cannot see the fight or who is fighting, but are gathered only out of curiosity.
The people of the world take sides about Godly matters. The variations of sides seems endless, however we may break down their claimed beliefs into those who believe in the existence of God, those who don’t believe in the existence of God, and those who just aren’t sure one way or the other. Most of the time what the unbeliever’s claim as their belief is what the “mob” around them proclaims. It often is wrongly concluded that the atheist and the agnostic are highly intelligent because of their beliefs though there is nothing compelling leading to that belief. Usually it is found that their arguments are not predicated on true fact but rather on the shaky ground of pre-supposed bias and presumptions. Family and Friends, we ought not to follow a mob when we don’t fully know what the mob believes and what is the basis for the belief. However, believing in God, what He has done, what He has planned, and what He has carried out is explained in the inerrant facts He has given to us in the Bible. Yes, facts. Let’s not follow ungodly groups or mobs, but instead understand and hold to the fact that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Join the group that follows Jesus Savior and Lord. Then delve into the Word of God that reveals the Truth so that you may understand and grow. It is what all believers are called to do (2 Timothy 2:15). God’s Holy Spirit will reveal the Truth to you and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32). God is good all the time and He loves you. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) Don’t follow the largest “thought mob” that is of the world, they are on the wrong path. Jesus said “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) All religious and philosophical thoughts that are not from the Word of God, or that oppose it, are wrong and deadly. Follow Jesus, only through Him, as purposed by the Father, is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6) that leads to Heaven. 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.”