Luke the beloved physician wrote, “when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, You men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul referred to when God, “gave them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years” where we read:
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years,
until Samuel the prophet.
The verse begins, “And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, ...” Luke began with the words, “and after that he gave unto them judges” which means “and following God dividing the land of Canaan to Israel by lot He granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to Israel arbiters, leaders and ones who passed judgment on anything” “about the space of four hundred and fifty years” or “for about the time period of four hundred and fifty years”. Luke shared how God provided overseeing “judges” to Israel for about four hundred and fifty years after they were in the land of Canaan.
The verse goes on to say, “... until Samuel the prophet.” Luke continued with the words, “until Samuel” which means “till the time of Samuel whose name means his name is of God” “the prophet” or “the One 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 people of Israel were provided with “judges” until their last “judge” who was named “Samuel”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” continued to review the history of Israel with the people in the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia. He took them on a mental journey through the wilderness and into the land of Canaan where God gave them “judges” for a four hundred and fifty year period until “Samuel” was the final judge. “Paul” continues his recounting in our next verse, but for now let us realize this was all part of God's plan to provide His Son Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of mankind. God sent Jesus into the world to “save” people from their sins, and when they put their faith and trust in Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words yield themselves to Jesus and receive God's greatest gift to mankind.
Next time Luke shares how Paul refers to how, “afterward they desired a king”, 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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