The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul and Silas, “had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas”, and in chapter sixteen and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night” where we read:
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;
There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
The verse begins, “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;” Luke began with the words, “and a vision” which means “a supernatural spectacle or ecstasy in a sleep” “appeared to Paul” or “was allowed to be seen and beheld by Paul whose name means small or little” “in the night” which means “within the time when work ceases and the weary and drunken slumber and sleep”. Luke shared how a “supernatural spectacle” was shown unto “Paul” in the nighttime.
The verse continues, “There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Luke added the words, “there stood a man of Macedonia” or “there was standing upon his feet a male human who was from Macedonia”, “and prayed him” which means “and summoned, begged, entreated and beseeched Paul”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “come over into Macedonia” which means “cross over to Macedonia whose name means the extended land and was a country bounded on the south by Thessaly and Epirus, on the east by Thrace and the Aegean Sea, on the west by Illyria, and on the North by Dardania and Moesia”, “and help us” or “and succor or give aid to the people who lived in Macedonia”. Luke shared how “Paul” saw in his “vision” a particular man from “Macedonia” who invited “Paul” and his companions to come to where he was and give the people “aid”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” saw a “supernatural spectacle” that included a man from the area known as “Macedonia”. This man was “beckoning” “Paul” to come to “Macedonia” to “help” the people there. God employed another means by which His “gospel” would be spread to the world, and when “Paul” saw this supernatural and unusual sight, he understood his next direction from the Lord. God desires to “save” every person who yields to His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”. When they surrender to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life, and this “help”, like the Macedonian man and his people, is the greatest “aid” a person may ever receive.
Next time Luke shares after Paul, “had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia”, 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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