The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had worked among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law. And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that you are come”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jews told Paul, “Do therefore this that we say to you” where we read:
Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men which have a vow on them;
The verse begins, “Do therefore this that we say to you:” Luke began with the words, “do therefore this” which means “make ready, prepare and produced the following” “that we say to you” or “that we, James and the elders in Jerusalem, utter, declare and proclaim to you, Paul”. Luke shared how “James and the elders in Jerusalem” told “Paul” to do according to what they desired.
The verse goes on to say, “We have four men which have a vow on them;” Luke continued with the words, “we have four men” which means “we, James and the elders in Jerusalem, possess four male human beings” “which have a vow on them” or “who agreed to a hold, condition and necessity upon their own selves”. Luke shared how “James and the elders in Jerusalem” told “Paul” about “four men” who took a “vow or commitment” upon themselves.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “James and the elders in Jerusalem” desired to do something about the situation with “Paul”. The Jewish people who heard about him convincing Jewish people not to observe the “law of Moses” were going to question “Paul” about his commitment to his own people, so “James and the elders” thought if “Paul” knew about “four men” who made a “vow” upon themselves, perhaps this would help appease the Jewish people if he joined them. We shall see how they ask him to do so in our next verse, but for now, let us be mindful that “Paul” wanted people to know how God the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Anyone who yields to Jesus will be saved, and even when there are religious laws and traditions that are meant to be followed, considering them is worth others knowing that God loves them and desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how the James and the elders tell Paul, “take them, and purify yourself with them”, 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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