The physician Luke wrote how, “the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, do you understand what you read?”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Ethiopian man asked, “how can I, except some man should guide me?” where we read:
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?
And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The verse begins, “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?” Luke began with the words, “and he said” which means “and the Ethiopian man uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”, “how can I” or “in what way or manner will I, the Ethiopian man, have the ability”, “except some man guide me” which means “unless a certain or particular person lead or give guidance to me, the Ethiopian man”? Luke shared how the Ethiopian man responded to “Philip” by asking how he could understand what he was reading unless someone lead or taught him.
The verse continues, “And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” Luke added the words, “and he desired Philip” which means “and the Ethiopian man summoned, called for and entreated Philip whose name means lover of horses and was Jesus' apostles” “that he would come up” or “that Philip would rise, ascend and spring up” “and sit with him” which means “and be seated alongside the Ethiopian man”. Luke shared how the Ethiopian man wanted “Philip” to mount the carriage and “sit with him”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the Ethiopian man wanted to know what he was reading. Because he had no one to lead him in the scriptures, he could not understand them. When “Philip” asked him if he knew what he was reading, the Ethiopian man must have perceived that “Philip” could help him. This was the next step in God reaching out to save this “Ethiopian man”, and “Philip” met with him one on one to share. God loves people, and He employs those who have understanding in the scriptures and His “gospel” to share with other. One of the greatest privileges a person may experience is to help others know the word of God, and those who are wise will yield to God's Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and make themselves available to lead others into a relationship with Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “the place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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