Luke the physician wrote how Cornelius sent men to Joppa after receiving a vision from the Lord, and “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth”, and in chapter ten and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter saw, “all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth” where we read:
Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth,
and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
The verse begins, “Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, ...” Luke began with the words, “wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts” which means “within the large sheet existed each, every, the whole and everyone of the animals with four feet” “of the earth” or “belonging to the arable land, territory and ground”. Luke shared how there were all sorts of animals with “four feet” inside of the sheet which was lowered toward “Peter”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” Luke continued with the words, “and wild beasts” which means “and brutal, savage and ferocious animals”, “and creeping things” or “and reptiles or snake which creep along the ground”, “and fowls of the air” which means “and flying and winged birds that fly in the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it”. Luke shared how there were also “savage and brutal animals” as well as “reptiles, snakes and creatures that creep” and “flying birds” within the “large sheet” that was lowered to “Peter”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn what “Peter” observed within the “large sheet” that was lowered to Him from “heaven”. Undesirable animals, reptiles and birds which were created by God were among the creatures lowered to “Peter”. God had a purpose and plan for “Peter” with this “trance”, and we shall discover it as this story continues, however, let us understand that God is able to use any of His creatures to send a message to mankind when He desires. Anyone who surrenders their life to His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and be led and directed by Him to fulfill His purposes and will. Those who yield to Jesus will discover God works in mysterious ways, the best response is to submit to Him whenever He uses them in His plan.
Next time Luke shares how a voice says, “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat”, 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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