November 17, 2009

Texts:
2 Chronicles 3-5
Acts 12

Chronicles:
There are lots of websites that will tell you exactly what the temple looked like, but the archaeological record is not as clear. They have found evidence of human activity at the site from the time, but the remains of the temple are gone.
One thing that was different in Solomon's temple than in any of the other temples of its day, is that it didn't house an idol. There wasn't a statue of God. It housed the ark, but not an image of God. It was pretty counter cultural to have a god you couldn't "see".

Acts:
While this chapter is usually known for Peter's release from prison, I noticed the death of Herod at the end. It says that the people, after he addressed them, were saying he had the voice of God and not a mortal. And since he hadn't given glory to God, he was struck down, eaten by worms, and died.
Interestingly, the contemporary (but non-Christian) historian Josephus records his death in a similar manner.
"After Passover in 44, Agrippa went to Caesarea, where he had games performed in honor of Claudius. In the midst of his elation Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head. During his imprisonment by Tiberius a similar omen had been interpreted as portending his speedy release, with the warning that should he behold the same sight again, he would die within five days. He was immediately smitten with violent pains, scolded his friends for flattering him and accepted his imminent death. He experienced heart pains and a pain in his abdomen, and died after five days." (Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae xix. 345-350 (Chapter 8 para 2))