In some religions, including Christianity, people become extremely angry when their religion is spoken of badly. On the one hand this is understandable because people have grown up in it from small, being indoctrinated (convinced their way is the only or right way) and live strictly according to this religion’s teaching and practices. Yet on the other hand, the God of the Bible is not interested in what religion you have been raised in, participate in and swear by. He is only interested in Truth … His Truth! He says very clearly:
Ex 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”
He is saying He is their God and their owner and Savior. He brought them out of Egypt, delivered them from slavery, purchased them as His own and now as His possession He prohibits their hearts staying into other pastures, serving other gods (idols – imaginary images – made designed religions) because His ownership includes a righteously jealous love relationship and ownership. As said before, the Ten Commandments are specific to the spiritual offspring of Abraham (all in Christ) … but they are general to all in Adam (the whole human race). So any idolatry is seen by God as evil, wicked and a display of corruption existing in the human heart. Our text in Acts says:
Ac 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
Through the preaching ministry coupled to the supernatural God did through Paul, many were saved out of paganism … yet the fury of losing members to Christianity resulted in terrible repercussions to the Work of God. The concept of “great disturbance” means an “intense uproar of confused noise with shouting and screaming.” In essence, who participated in this uproar and why? Please read:
Ac 19:24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” 28 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 rushed as one man into the theater.
If you have time read on until verse 41.
1) Trade Unions. As you focus on the passage you see the following trades or crafts … “Silversmith” … one who beats or hammers silver, also known as a silver-beater; “Craftsmen” … also an artificer {one who does artistic work}, an artisan; “Workmen” … commonly laborers who sold their time to craftsmen and “related trades” … implying trades similar to that of a Silversmith. The fact that Demetrius called “them together” … (v25 … people in the same trade – Silversmith craftsmen) … together with people in “related trades” shows they had some sort of guild or trade union in place for each craft. As with today, when these guilds or unions assembled in their numbers, they are a formidable force, rightly or wrongly generating aggression (power) as they chant, dance or work themselves up.
2) Union Official. Although it does not say in our text that Demetrius was the union representative or leader, something like the “Secretary General” or perhaps “shop steward”, it does seem as though he was their leader in a loose way. This is the reason he called the craftsmen together for a meeting. In our day, union leaders have lots of sway with their members. What they say is literally law … and is obeyed.
3) Vested Interest. We need to see a difference here between shrines for the goddess Diana and the shrines of Artemis. Diana’s relics resembled a huntress with bow and arrow whilst that Artemis had many breasts. These shrines were not used in the temple worship. Rather they were small souvenir medals stamped with the image of Artemis or small models of the Temple of Artemis. We have coins stamped with various emblems such as the house of government or a president, king or queen’s image. These were used in devotion, as charms or an item of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger or disease. Perhaps the idea of a St. Christopher pendant or charm which supposes the user will be protected on travels, given good luck, war off misfortunes, keeping one safe happy and secure could be thought of. Roman Catholics pray the rosary and believe the “Virgin Mary” gave 15 promises to those who do, three of which are …
(a) Never be conquered by misfortune.
(b) Have her own spiritual protection.
(c) Help world peace and end war.
Some people even believe that wearing a necklace in the shape of a cross protects them. All these beliefs are superstition and amount to the same belief as that of the trade guilds in Ephesus. In all cases, then and now, this is a business and when business is affected, those making the relics suffer financially. With the rapid growth in Christianity, their sales declined and their income declined because true Christians don’t support mystic relics and amulets. They follow Jesus, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and live in faith according to the Scriptures. You can imagine how this affected not only their personal income as craftsmen and their “trade union” … it also affected the economy of Ephesus because be it the citizens who became believers in Jesus or be it the tourist industry, many of whom had become Christian, this lucrative industry slumped. No trade, no money. No money no livelihood. No livelihood no taxes paid. Within the secular, materialistic (remember I label these as religions) world in which we live today, advertisers target the sensual emotions of people to grab their attention and create temptation to buy products. Many “Christian Book Shops” have fallen prey to selling material that is decidedly non-Christian. They don’t blink an eye having relics and amulets and other trinkets that make them money yet take the user’s focus off Jesus and the Bible. They don’t like it when Christians fight against liquor trading at all hours, abortion, pornography, mind altering drugs swallowed or smoked, etc. They don’t like it when Christians stand against the advocates and books about the LGB etc. and the transgender movements. In all these and many other “products” there are large profits to be made. Touch the pocket, anger the producer and seller. Tomorrow we shall dig further into this text.
O God, thank You for the Holy Spirit and the Bible Your have given to us Your followers. We know these glorious gifts are sufficient for all of life, growth in Christlikeness, preparation for Kingdom service and for eternity. Amen.