Scripture
Acts 8:26-30-“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So, he started out, and on his way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.”
Observation
Philip, in obedience to an angel of the Lord and to the Spirit, proceeded south toward Gaza. It would be on his way that God’s purpose would avail itself in Philip meeting the Ethiopian eunuch. What is interesting is that the Ethiopian was one of authority and responsibility for all of the Ethiopian Queen’s treasury, which could be construed as worldly by way of his position and responsibility. As an Ethiopian, he wouldn’t normally be one that an Israelite would be called to associate with or minister to as a gentile. As a eunuch, he customarily would not be able to be admitted to the assembly of the Lord as a proselyte, one who could be converted to Judaism (Deuteronomy 23:1). The eunuch also came from a place that was geographically, far removed. All of these things are significant in depicting how the Lord’s will was to reach beyond the Israelites with the good news of Jesus Christ. In fact, further study attributes this as being the first conversion of a gentile.
Application
Like Philip, the Lord will often guide us or place us in places and/or opportunities that He orchestrates for His plan and purpose to be realized. It may be by way of where we live, where we work, our activities, or an inkling prompted by the Holy Spirit. It may be to people far removed from those we normally associate with, feel called to associate with, and those that are very different from who we are, in all ways considered.
Yet it is in these precarious, tumultuous, times of uncertainty where statistics reveal that as the most bibles were sold in 2020, and that the most Bible apps were downloaded; that people are searching for an answer. This is possibly one of the most opportune times that the Lord is availing the lost to find and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, before His return. In obedience, we should be available, aware, and ready to act to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me of why Jesus came to die for our sins that we might have eternal life and that it is your plan and purpose that all have the opportunity to accept you, Jesus as Lord and Savior. I know and pray that there will be opportunities that will be availed to me to speak to someone and share the good news of Jesus Christ, even if by appearance or background they seem to be someone that I would not normally be called to do You love all of your creation and desire for all to come to you. May it be so.
