Luke the beloved physician wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were shipwrecked and swam to “the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer” where we read:
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.
The verse begins, “And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when the barbarians” which means “and at the time and moment the one whose speech was rude, rough, harsh and as foreigners” “saw the venomous beast” or “observed, looked upon and noticed the poisonous snake” “hang on his hand” which means “suspended upon Paul's physical hand”, “they said among themselves” or “the barbarians uttered, declared and proclaimed towards and with regard to their own selves” the following words. Luke shared how the “barbarians” of the island of Melita observed the “poisonous snake” suspended from “Paul's” “hand” and declared the following words.
The verse continues, “... No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.” Luke added the words, “no doubt this man” which means “doubtless, surely, certainly and in no wise this particular male human being” “is a murderer” or “exists as one who committed homicide”, “whom, though he has escaped the sea” which means “who even though he was preserved, saved and kept from perishing in the sea waters”, “yet vengeance suffers not to live” or “however custom, usage, right and justice does not allow or permit this man to stay alive, be among the breathing and efficient”. Luke shared how the “barbarous people” concluded that “Paul” must be a “murderer” who was kept alive through the storm, but now was experiencing justice for his wrongdoing.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people on the island noticed the “poisonous snake” attaching itself to “Paul's” hand, and they concluded that he was a “murderer” who was receiving justice for his crime. They knew “Paul” escaped the storm and seas, but he was receiving his punishment for his crime. We shall see how “Paul” responds to their conclusion in our next verse, and God will use this circumstance to reach the hearts of the people on the island. God desires to save every person, and when they yield themselves to His Son Jesus, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Jesus said, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (See Mark 16:18), and this was a case where the Lord fulfilled His promise to “Paul”. God's desire was to send “Paul” to “Rome” to share His gospel and because of His will, God preserved “Paul”. Those who yield themselves to Jesus will receive His promises and enjoy the presence of the Lord for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “shook off the beast into the fire”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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