But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; I Corinthians 1:27 November 29, 2009 Rev. David B. Hanson

God Confounded Herod the Great  Matthew 2:13-14,16  13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Herod the Great 73 BC-4 BC  Matthew 2:19-21  19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,  20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.  21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.  Herod the Great was named because Herod was great in everything.  The Greek Liturgy asserts that Herod killed 14,  Death: Fournier's gangrene (a rare infection of the male genitalia) and Chronic kidney disease

God Confounded the Jews  Acts 9:20-22  20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?  22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Apostle Paul 5 BC-67 AD  Acts 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  Pharisee and Rabbi  Jewish Christian  Apostle to the Gentiles  Early Christian missionary  Three missionary journeys and last journey to Rome  Death: Beheaded as a martyr for Christ

God Confounded Herod Agrippa I  Acts 12:11,19,  11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

Herod Agrippa I 10 BC-44 AD  Acts 12:21-23  21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.  The grandson of Herod the Great  Death: Fournier's gangrene (a rare infection of the male genitalia

Dick & Margaret Hillis, Missionaries in China  Japan invaded China.  In January 1941 Dick had appendix and was sent to the mission hospital 115 miles away by rickshaw.  Margaret had her one-year son and two-months old daughter with her.  Margaret noted the date on the scripture wall calendar - January 15 th.

Dick & Margaret Hillis, Missionaries in China  Psalm 56:3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.  Margaret said, “I fulfill that part of the verse! Now indeed is the time to trust God.”  Psalm 9:10  And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.  Margaret claimed that verse and clung to it throughout the day.

Dick & Margaret Hillis, Missionaries in China  Genesis 50:21  …I will nourish you, and your little ones…  A few moments later, a woman unexpectedly walked into her kitchen, carrying a steaming pail of goat’s milk.  Psalm 56:9  When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back; this I know; for God is with me.  Suddenly there were footsteps, and the Chinese Colonel appeared. “Pastor’s wife,” he said with relief, “I have been concerned about you!” He told her that the Japanese had withdrawn.