The physician Luke wrote how, “Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do”, and in chapter nine and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the men which journeyed with him stood speechless” where we read:
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
The verse begins, “And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, ...” Luke began with the words, “and the men” which means “and the male human beings” “which journeyed with him” or “who traveled in company with Saul” “stood speechless” which means “were made firm, established and fixed as dumb, mute and destitute of the power of speech”. Luke shared how the “men” who were traveling with “Saul” were unable to speak while they watched what was happening to him.
The verse continues, “... hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” Luke added the words, “hearing a voice” which means “being endowed with the ability to hear, perceive, notice and discern a sound or tone of uttered words”, “but seeing no man” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover unable to behold or observe any male human being”. Luke shared how the men traveling with “Saul” were able to “hear” someone speaking, however, they could not see anyone.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Saul” was not on his journey to Damascus alone. There were other men with him, and these men “heard” the “voice” which was speaking to “Saul”, but they did not see anyone who was speaking. These men lead “Saul” to Damascus in our next verses, but for now, let us consider that God singled out “Saul” to call Him to Himself. Jesus is calling out to people every day, and those who seek Him will find Him through a relationship with His Son Jesus. As we watch God work in the life of “Saul”, let us be mindful that He is willing to work in every person who surrenders their life to His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how, “Saul arose from the earth; and … he saw no man”, 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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