Saul Breathing Threats And Murder

Apostolic Era, c. 33 AD

Saul Breathing Threats And Murder

While the Gospel is spreading south to Africa and through the coastal cities, a dark storm is brewing in the north. Saul of Tarsus, utterly consumed by his zeal for the traditions of his fathers, is not satisfied with ravaging the church in Jerusalem. He is still "breathing threats and murder" against the disciples of the Lord.

He approached the high priest and secured official letters of extradition to the synagogues in Damascus, a major city in Syria over 130 miles away. His mission is ruthless: if he finds any belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he is authorized to bind them in chains and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and execution. He is marching toward Damascus, confident he is doing the will of God.

"Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus..."
— Acts 9:1-2

Timeline Box: Saul's journey to Damascus represents the climax of the initial Jewish persecution against the early Christians.

Divided Kingdom Era, c. 850 BC

An Army Sent To Capture Elisha

Furious that his military secrets were being revealed, the King of Aram discovered that the prophet Elisha was in Dothan. Under the cover of darkness, he sent a massive force—horses, chariots, and a heavy army—to surround the city and capture one single man. The king believed that overwhelming military might could silence the word of God.

"So he sent horses and chariots and a heavy military force there, and they came by night and surrounded the city."
— 2 Kings 6:14

Timeline Box: This heavy-handed military maneuver failed completely when Elisha struck them with blindness.

Patriarchal Era, c. 2080 BC

Abram Pursues The Kings To Damascus

When four eastern kings attacked Sodom and took Abram's nephew Lot captive, Abram mobilized 318 of his trained men. He pursued the massive coalition army all the way to Hobah, which is north of Damascus. There, he attacked them by night, defeated them, and rescued his nephew and all the stolen goods in a stunning military victory.

"And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus."
— Genesis 14:15

Timeline Box: Abram's rescue mission to Damascus is one of the earliest recorded military engagements of the patriarchs.

Editorial: The Road To Damascus

Damascus is a city with a history of conflict. Abram fought his way there to rescue a captive; centuries later, Saul is marching there to take captives. Saul believed he was the righteous hero, armed with letters from the high priest and breathing righteous anger, much like the Aramean king who thought a heavy army could capture Elisha.

But Saul is entirely unaware that he is walking into an ambush of grace. He thinks he is hunting down heretics, but the resurrected Christ is actually hunting him. The very road where Saul intends to execute the wrath of the Sanhedrin is the road where God intends to execute the mercy of Heaven. The greatest persecutor of the Church is about to become its greatest apostle.

Reader Correspondence & Dispatches

Letters to The Bible Chronicle

Discuss today’s Editorial or any of the three historical dispatches in this edition. Comments on individual articles automatically appear on their standalone timeline pages as well.

Sign in with your BeliefProfile.com account to like articles, save favorites, and post comments without typing your name or email.

No reader letters have been filed for this edition yet. Be the first to share a reflection on today’s Editorial or any of the three historical accounts above!