City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

³⁵ And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? ³⁶ Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly….”

“For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”

Acts 19:35-36, 40

⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7

Reflection

You know, the city clerk isn’t that far off here. He calls for the good character of the “Men of Ephesus,” he appeals to what they “ought” to be doing, and that that “ought” should be governed by a higher power.  He also points out that they must give account for their actions. These are all very good things, and they follow some form of wisdom.  And we must even give him credit because it works.  In verse 41 it says, “And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. So, the event was over.” The riot that threatened to burn down all the buildings had been averted. All because the city clerk had spoken up. 

Note that this wasn’t the Asiarchs, who warned Paul of the danger, or the governor of the town. It was the clerk, wisdom, and the ought of telling people that they will have to give account for their actions.  It’s like he said, “Are we not Ephesians!” as if that meant something.  I think he was able to speak to the same spirit in man that led Joseph Merrick (The Elephant Man) to say, “I am not an animal, I am a man.” The breath of God in man is not void.

You see, when man, any man is confronted with how things ought to be, there is a harmonic response that echoes within the spirit of that man. For some, the echo propels them to action and rightness, but for others the echo dies and drags the spirit down to hard heartedness.

So, this makes me wonder, is the fact that the men of Ephesus did listen to the clerk’s call to “ought” propelled Paul to write in 1 Cor 16:8-9, “But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Application

Sometimes it is simply a matter of saying what is right. Take a moment and think on a corner that you might be cutting. Go back and do it right since you know you ought to. You’ll be surprised at how much better things will turn out.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for Your grace in learning Your ways.  I pray for the wisdom to follow Your path, that way You command and the strength to do it that way.  To the praise of Your glorious grace.  Amen.