Pride Over Praise?
- Pastor Sean Smith
- Mar 1
- 1 min read
Q: Which king was afflicted with worms and died because he didn't give glory to God?
A: Herod Agrippa I
Tidbit: After giving a speech, people shouted that his voice was "the voice of a god," and because he accepted their worship instead of giving glory to God, he was immediately struck down and eaten by worms.
Reference: Acts 12:21-23
Background: According to Acts 12:21-23, Herod Agrippa I was in Caesarea, where he gave a grand public speech wearing his royal robes. The people watching were so impressed by his appearance and oration that they began shouting "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!"
- Instead of rejecting this blasphemous praise, Herod accepted it, essentially allowing himself to be worshipped as divine.
- The text states that because he did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down immediately.
- He was "eaten by worms" (possibly referring to some kind of parasitic or medical condition) and died.
Theological Significance - Divine punishment for pride and failure to give glory to God.
Application: This account serves as a powerful example to the Church:
1) Of God's judgment on those who would elevate themselves to divine status,
2) Of God’s sovereignty over the Church’s enemies/oppressors.
*The end of one of the church's most prominent early persecutors, as this same Herod had previously killed James and imprisoned Peter.
References:
Comentarios