The beloved physician Luke wrote when he, Paul and their fellow disciples, “had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse ten of the book of Acts Luke shared about, “a certain prophet, named Agabus” where we read:
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
The verse begins, “And as we tarried there many days, ...” Luke began with the words, “and as we tarried there” which means “and while and during the time we, Luke, Paul and the men traveling with them, remained, stayed and continued in the home of Philip for” “many days” or “a great and abundant number of sunrises to sunsets”. Luke shared while he, “Paul” and the men traveling with them were staying with “Philip” in “Caesarea” the following occurred.
The verse goes on to say, “... there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.” Luke continues with the words, “there came down from Judaea” which means “there descended from Judaea whose name means he shall be praised and was to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea” “a certain prophet” or “a particular 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”, “named Agabas” which means “who was called and known by Agabas whose name means locust and was a Christian prophet”. Luke shared how a “Christian prophet” named “Agabas” descended from the region of “Judaea”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how he, “Paul” and the men traveling with them stayed with “Philip” in “Caesarea”, and while they were there, “Agabas” who was a “Christian prophet” descended to where they were. We shall see how “Agabas” enters this story in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful that the Lord God was using all these people to further the gospel of His Kingdom. God loves everybody, and He knows how to bring people together to offer them an opportunity to receive His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”. Those who yield themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus and be used in His Kingdom wherever He desires.
Next time Luke shares how Agabus, “took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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