Luke the beloved physician wrote how Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to the governor Felix concerning Paul, and afterwards soldiers, “took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle. Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia: I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared, “after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, … and informed the governor against Paul” where we read:
And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders,
and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
The verse begins, “And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, ...” Luke began with the words, “and after five days” which means “and after the time of five sunrises to sunsets appeared” “Ananias the high priest” or “Ananias, whose name means whom Jehovah was graciously given and was the chief and principal Jewish priest” “descended with the elders” which means “came down alongside the advanced in years, forefathers or senior members of the great council or Sanhedrin”. Luke shared how there was a “five day” delay before “Ananias” the “chief priest” and members of the Sanhedrin arrived where “Paul” was being held captive.
The verse continues, “... and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.” Luke added the words, “and with a certain orator” which means “and alongside a particular speaker or forensic advocate” “named Tertullus” or “who was called and known as Tertullus whose name means triple-hardened”, “who informed the governor” which means “who manifested, exhibited, indicated, disclosed, declared and made know to the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, commander or sovereign, Felix” “against Paul” or “in opposition to Paul whose name means small or little”. Luke shared how the Jewish “high priest” and members of the “Sanhedrin” brought with them a special speaker who was called “Tertullus” to bring the case against “Paul”, and he told “Felix the governor” their complaint against him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn the delay was “five days” before someone arrived to bring charges against “Paul”. We can only imagine what this time of waiting was like for “Paul”, but let us be mindful that God's plan was working according to His timing. The gospel of Jesus Christ was to be spread throughout the world, and God was orchestrating all these events according to His purpose and plan. God loves everybody, and He wants to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise will discern delays as His intention for people to surrender to the only One, Jesus, who is able to save them throughout all time and eternity.
Next time Luke shares how, “Tertullus began to accuse” Paul, 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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