Luke the beloved physician wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were shipwrecked and swam to “the island” that “was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how the barbarians, “looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god” where we read:
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
The verse begins, “Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly:” Luke began with the words, “Howbeit they looked” which means “moreover the barbarian island people observed, noticed, waited for and expected” “when he should have swollen” or “at the time and moment Paul was supposed to swell, burn and become inflamed with fever” “or fallen down dead suddenly” which means “or to have fell deceased and without life to the ground unaware and unexpectedly”. Luke shared how the barbarous people on the island were watching “Paul” and expected that his hand or body would swell and burn or that he would die unexpectedly.
The verse continues, “but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.” Luke added the words, “but after they had looked a great while” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover following the time the barbarous island people observed and watched Paul for a long time”, “and saw no harm come to him” or “and observed, noticed and discovered that not any unbefitting, unbecoming, improper and harmful wickedness arose on Paul”, “they changed their minds” which means “the barbarous people turned about and altered their opinions and thinking”, “and said that he was a god” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed that Paul existed as a supreme being or deity”. Luke shared how the barbarous people on the island continued to watch “Paul” for a long time, however, nothing harmful arose upon his body. This caused them to alter their opinions about him, and they determined that he was a “god”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the barbarous people on the island knew this type of poisonous snake usually caused swelling and sometimes death when a person was bitten by it. They continued to observe “Paul” and expected that he would soon be dead, however, nothing happened to “Paul”. This cause them to change their thinking about “Paul” and determined that he must be a “god”. They were correct in believing that something supernatural occurred with “Paul”, however it was “God Almighty” who preserved Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ was to be presented by “Paul” in “Rome”, and God kept “Paul” from the normal effects of the poisonous snake. God loves everyone, and His desire is to save them from their sins by believing and trusting in His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will carefully examine this story of “Paul” and realize God's desire to reach them with His good news, and he will keep all who minister for Him according to His purpose and will.
Next time Luke shares about a man, “whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously”, 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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