Drusilla is a colorful character. Her name means “watered by the dew.” She was Jewish and lived in Rome. Her family tree has very notable characters. Herod the Great was her grandfather and Herod Agrippa, the first persecutor of the church was her father. Her uncle Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist. She was Bernice’s sister. Come back next week to learn more about Bernice.
Drusilla married King Aziz of Emesa at the are of 14 or 15 after he became a Jew. However, she was an unfaithful wife and left him. She married Felix while she was still legally married to King Aziz. Her marriage to Felix was a sinful one because she was still married to someone else, but also because Felix was not a Jew.
Drusilla enters the Bible narrative while Paul was in prison. You can read the background of Paul’s imprisonment in Acts 24:10-21. We will pick up the story in Acts 24:22-27: “But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”
Gotquestions.org notes this about Drusilla, “As a Jewess, Drusilla would probably have known about the stoning of Stephen, which happened before she was born (Acts 7:58–60), and the martyrdom of James (Acts 12:2) at the order of her own father. She was married to a man who was well acquainted with Christianity (Acts 24:22). After Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was brought to Caesarea. Governor Felix heard the charges brought against him, and Paul presented the gospel as part of his defense, but Felix delayed giving a verdict. Some days later, Felix with his wife, Drusilla, summoned Paul for another hearing. There was no legal reason for Drusilla to be present at these hearings, so she must have been curious about what Paul had to say.”
“Speaking before Felix and Drusilla, Paul “spoke about faith in Christ Jesus . . . righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come” (ActsAs 24:24–25). Luke records that the governor was afraid at Paul’s words and sent Paul back to his cell until a more “convenient” time (verse 25). We are not told what Drusilla’s response was, but Paul’s preaching on self-restraint and the coming judgment must have disturbed her, given her marital history and ungodly lifestyle.”
I would have loved to have seen Drusilla’s reaction to everything Paul said. Would she have felt convicted to change? Would she have been angry?
It seems like Felix was stirred but yet he sent Paul away rather than to repent. Did Drusilla have anything to do with Felix’s actions? He acted as if he expected to be bribed in some way by Paul which was common. According to the historian, Josephus, Felix was replaced because he failed to keep peace between the Jews and the Gentiles. Felix left Paul in prison to appease the Jews.
What can we learn from Drusilla? She is a great example of what not to do. Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel. We do not know why Drusilla was there listening with Felix. She heard the gospel, yet she rejected it. She had a week moral character. She was a Jew that did not follow the precepts in the law of Moses. She did not repent of her sins.
Drusilla disappears from history after this incident. Many scholars and historians believe she was buried after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius along with her son, Agrippa.
We do not know when our time on this earth is finished. Do not delay if the Lord is calling you to repent.
Image from www.freebibleimages.org.
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