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 in chapter eight and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Philip ran” toward the Ethiopian man where we read:
And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
do you understand what you read?
The verse begins, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and Philip ran there to him” which means “and Philip whose name means lover of horses and was one of Jesus' apostles hastened toward the Ethiopian man”, “and heard him” or “and was endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and noticing the Ethiopian man” “read the prophet Esaias” which means “distinguishing, recognizing and knowing accurately reading the prophesy written by Isaiah”, “and said” or and “uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked” the following question. Luke shared how “Philip” made haste to join himself to the “chariot” of the “Ethiopian man” and “heard” him reading a portion of scripture in the book of Isaiah.
The verse goes on to say, “... do you understand what you read?” Luke continued with the words, “do you understand” which means “do you, Ethiopian man, perceive, have knowledge and awareness of” “what you read” or “that which you, Ethiopian man, distinguish, recognize and know accurately in the book of Isaiah”? Luke shared how “Philip” asked the “Ethiopian man” if he “comprehended” what he was reading.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Philip” did not delay in obeying the “Spirit” of God as he “ran” to join himself to the “chariot” of the “Ethiopian man”. When “Philip” arrived, he noticed the man reading the scriptures, so he asked him if he knew what he was reading. This was the next step in God's purpose to offer salvation to this man through His Son Jesus. God loves people, and He will seek to save them regardless of where they are in the world. God's “gospel” through His Son Jesus Christ offers forgiveness of sins to every person who yields to Him, and He blesses them with the promise of eternal life as well. Let all who read these words be like “Philip” and not only submit to Jesus, but also be available to help others know Him when the opportunity arises.
Next time Luke shares how the Ethiopian man asks, “how can I, except some man should guide me?”, 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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