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, ...”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared the man of Ethiopia, “was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias” where we read:
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
The verse begins, “Was returning, and sitting in his chariot ...” Luke began with the words, “was returning” which means “the eunuch man from Ethiopia was turning back toward Ethiopia”, “and sitting in his chariot” or “and was seated within the Ethiopian man's carriage or coach which was drawn by horses”. Luke shared how the “Ethiopian” man was going back to “Ethiopia” from Jerusalem and was riding in his “chariot”.
The verse goes on to say, “... read Esaias the prophet.” Luke continued with the words, “read Esaias” which means “the Ethiopian man attempted to distinguish between, recognize and know accurately by reading the book written by Isaiah” “the prophet” or “the man who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declared to men what he received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Luke shared how the “Ethiopian man” was reading the book of the “prophet Isaiah”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “Ethiopian eunuch with great authority” was “reading” the book of Isaiah from the Old Testament. Because “scrolls were not in abundant supply like the Bible is today, this was a special opportunity for this man. We shall see what he was reading in the next few verses, but for now, let us understand God was in a personal pursuit of this “Ethiopian man”. God desires to “save” every person from their sins so they may live with Him forever, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world. Anyone who surrenders their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life in Heaven. Let all who read these words understand this is God's effort to reach them through His “Bible”, and those who are wise will yield themselves to God Almighty and Jesus Christ His Son who desire to “save” every person in the world.
Next time Luke shares how, “the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot”, 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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