Luke the beloved physician wrote how “certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he has a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto you, who has something to say unto you. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that you have to tell me? And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire you that you would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul's nephew tells the chief captain, “there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men” where we read:
But do not you yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from you.
The verse begins, “But do not you yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, ...” Luke began with the words, “but do not you yield unto them” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover do not allow yourself, chief captain, to be persuaded, induced or convinced by the Jewish men”: “for there lie in wait for him of them” or “because, since and on account that there lurk and plot the assassination for Paul by the Jewish men” “more than forty men” which means “a greater number that forty male human beings”, “which have bound themselves” or “who devoted and declared themselves liable” “with an oath” which means “with the severest of divine penalties”. Luke shared how “Paul's nephew” told the “chief captain” not to allow himself to be persuaded by the Jewish men because they had “bound” themselves with a liable curse that would incur the severest penalties if they broke it.
The verse goes on to say, “... that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from you.” Luke continued with the words, “that they will neither eat or drink” which means “that the Jewish men who bound themselves with a curse would not consume food or imbibe anything” “till they have killed him” or “until they, the Jewish men with an oath, had destroyed, abolished and removed Paul from the living”: “and now are they ready” which means “and at this present time the Jewish men with an oath are prepared”, “looking for a promise” or “expecting to receive an announcement or blessing” “from you” which means “from the chief captain”. Luke shared how “Paul's nephew” told the “chief captain” about the vow of the “Jewish men with an oath” not eating or drinking until they killed “Paul”, and they were prepared “kill” him as soon as they received the “blessing” from the “chief captain”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul's nephew” told the “chief captain” the details concerning the plot to kill “Paul”. This information would be used to “save” “Paul” from his situation, and this again demonstrated the willingness of God to take care of His own. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields themselves to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus and allow Him to rescue them in whatever way He desires when they have need.
Next time Luke shares how the chief captain, “let the young man depart, and charged him, see you tell no man”, 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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