From Man or God?

Acts 5:33-39 When they heard this, the Sanhedrin were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
 
PETER wrote in 1 Peter 5:8b Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. As Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6), the apostles had entered the Sanhedrin’s “lion’s den” because of their faithfulness and trust in God’s promises. Jesus’ church was near destruction as the apostles were on the precipice of death.
   Then God moved in a surprising way. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, became the Lord’s voice to protect his apostles. He didn’t know God was using him. He might have objected to the idea. Gamaliel had studied long and taught many men in the Pharisees’ ways. His wisdom and understanding was the result of his extensive work to know and teach the law.
   But Scripture has much to say about wisdom and understanding. There are 12 references to these godly traits in Job. One of those is Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Gamaliel’s wise counsel was God’s sovereign care over his apostles.   
   The other aspect of God’s care for the apostles is the Sanhedrin’s acceptance of Gamaliel’s counsel. We all have been to meetings. Seldom does a lone voice sway a group such as this that was furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. These same men had condemned Jesus. Blood was on their minds and in their hearts. Only the Spirit could close the lion’s mouths.  
 
Acts 5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
 
The Sanhedrin spared the apostles’ lives, but they did not spare their flesh. Flogging ws a brutal punishment, usually 39 lashes with a three-stranded leather strap. Jesus had told them such things would happen: Mark 13:9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.”  But the suffering did not stop them from speaking in the name of Jesus. Instead, this suffering took the men into a greater commitment to their Lord.