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.
“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.” In those days many confused Jews with Christians. It is easy to see why. They believed in the same God. Christianity has its roots in Judaism. Paul would go to the Jewish Temple to preach. So it was easy for the pagans to think that they were the same. But when it looked like big trouble was brewing the Jews (who to this day are falsely accused of being the cause of just about every woe known to man) wanted to make sure that it was known that they were not part of Christianity. How sad. But this mob was at a fever pitch and as soon as they recognized that Alexander was a Jew they wildly chanted all the more. Even if the Jews were not the same as Christians they understood enough to know that both the Jews and the Christians did not believe in idol worship so the mob thought neither group was a friend to their goddess Artemis, or to their trade.
“But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”” The mob shouted for two hours. Wow, that is a long time to yell without stopping. Yes, they were hot!
“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.” This city clerk was the not some lowly administrative clerk, but actually the town leader whom they voted in. Even for him, he needed to be careful what he said to the mob. The last thing he wanted was to ignite this powder keg to explode. So he appealed to them to remember what they were confident of. He told them that no matter what this sect of Christians said, they knew that they had been officially named by Rome to be the guardians of the temple of Artemis. To them it was the most powerful earthly endorsement they could think of. Not only had Rome endorsed them as being the official place to worship Artemis, but in their temple they had what they believed was an image delivered to them from heaven itself. So in their minds, even Artemis has selected them to be the keeper of her image in their temple.
Now we recognize that it was likely a meteorite that had fallen and they, in their limited knowledge, thought it was sign form heaven. It would seem to not be any more ludicrous than a modern cult who believes that their founder had tools of divination from God delivered to him.
So the City Clerk reminded them that they were well aware of the earthly and heavenly authorization to be the home of Artemis worship. The City Clerk was basically saying “What are you worried about? Why are you so stirred up? We know what the truth is no matter what these people are saying. Don’t let them disturb you. We know what is right. Calm down. Don’t do anything rash!” All the populations that Rome ruled knew that they did not want to poke the sleeping bear that was Rome. The City Clerk was giving them wise counsel that would benefit them all. He told them that they knew the truth so why let someone else rile them up.
“You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.” The City Clerk was clarifying the situation. Whatever had been said to this mob, these Christians have done nothing wrong. Besides they had been looking for Paul and since they didn’t find him they brought these two innocent men.
“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.” Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen were the troublemakers and they were making claims that Paul and his fellow disciples were going to ruin their business because people were leaving cults and the worship of Artemis to worship Jesus. These converts were burning their occultist books. So there would be less people to purchase their idols. Really, Demetrius and the craftsmen were afraid for their selfish interests and riled up the people for the benefit of themselves and not the people. The City Clerk told the people that if Demetrius and company had a legitimate claim then they could take these people to court. Again, wise words from the clerk. Funny things, there is nothing known of them actually taking Paul and associates to court.
“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.” The City Clerk reminded them that if Rome were to come in and demand a reason for this tumult they would have no valid reason for it and Rome could punish them. It was better to move on. Having pacified the mob by reminding them what was best for them was to disperse and leave this behind, he dismissed the calmed down group.
God uses even the ungodly for his purposes. He knows the hearts of all men and he knows their plans. He will use anyone to accomplish His will. God used the mighty Persian King Cyrus the Great to free the people of Israel to rebuild the temple. Cyrus was not a good man but God used him for a good purpose. God used the wrong in the brothers of Joseph to put Joseph in a place for the preservation of Israel. And God used this City Clerk to save His missionaries, Paul and the others. Family, God, who knows all before it happens (Isaiah 42:9) knows how to keep us and save us (2 Peter 2:9). The evidence of it is throughout the Bible (Psalm 12:7). When man was hopelessly lost Jesus came to save us, just as He kept saying He would (Romans 5:8). Let’s not worry, but have confidence in our God who is always good and who loves us endlessly. Praise our good and loving God who knows all. 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.”