The beloved physician Luke wrote how Barnabas and Saul, “had gone through the isle unto Paphos”, and “they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”, and in chapter thirteen and verse eleven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul says to Elymas, “the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season” where we read:
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
The verse begins, “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.” Luke began with the words, “and now” which means “and moreover and at this time”, “behold” or “look, lo and consider”, “the hand of the Lord” which means “the punishing agency, power and activity belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “is upon you” or “exist on you, Elymas”, “and you shall be blind” which means “and you, Elymas, will be unable, incapable and without power of vision”, “not seeing the sun for a season” or “unable to perceive, look upon, gaze or have sight of the sun in the sky until a due measure of time has passed”. Luke shared how “Saul” told “Elymas” that God's hand of judgment and authority was upon him, and he would be without sight of the sun until a certain amount of time passed.
The verse continues, “And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.” Luke added the words, “and immediately” which means “and straightaway and forthwith” “there fell on him” or “there descended upon Elymas” “a mist and a darkness” which means “a dimness of sight like a cataract”; “and he went about” or “and Elymas walked around” “seeking some to lead him” which means “craving, desiring and demanding that some person would guide him, Elymas” “by the hand” or “by using his physical hand”. Luke shared how “straightaway” “Elymas” was stricken with “blindness”, and he began to search for someone to “guide” him by his physical hand.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Saul” performed a miraculous judgment upon “Elymas”. “Elymas” was attempting to keep governor “Sergius Paulus” blind to believing and trusting in Jesus Christ, and “Saul” told Him God Almighty would make him blind for a time for doing so. God wants people to know about His Son Jesus and His salvation plan through Him. Every person who yields themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and anyone who is opposed to God's idea is “spiritually blind”. God will have the final say against all who are His enemies, but let those who understand God's purpose and ways surrender to Jesus and allow Him to judge all who oppose Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment