Paul began his journey to Italy by boat and was allowed to take companions with him to provide for his needs. This was a liberty that he was allowed (having not yet been condemned), which began back with Felix and seemed to have continued to this day. Acts 24:23, “So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” He was also allowed to meet with Christians in Sidon when they landed. Verse 3, “And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.” When they reached Lycia, they were transferred to an Alexandrian ship that was heading for Italy. This vessel was a grain freighter that was sturdy, but could not sail into wind. Verses 7-8, “When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.”
Verses 9-10, “Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, 'Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.' ” The passing of the Fast probably marked a season of poor sailing conditions, and Paul warned them not to continue, but the majority on board advised to continue sailing. We can gather that Paul's concerns were legitimate; from his own words, Paul experienced shipwreck three times and appears to have been floating in the sea for at least a day. 2 Corinthians 11:25, “Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep.” Nevertheless, the crew would not yield to Paul's words, no matter how true they might have been.
Paul's warning would prove itself to be prophetic, as their voyage would end with disaster and much loss. The wind was so strong and there was nothing they could do to combat its force, that they had to yield to it and be driven by it. They brought the skiff on board, undergirded the boat with cables to prevent it from breaking apart, and lightened the ship by throwing their tackle overboard. The wind was very powerful and out of man's control, but not nearly as powerful as the One who created it. Many will fight against God in a similar manner, yet refuse to yield to their Maker. Paul was asked once why he would "kick against the goads". A goad was a long, extremely sharp stick used to get an ox going the way you wanted when plowing. To avoid more pain from being jabbed in the leg, the ox would usually cooperate and yield to its master. Fighting against God may result in a different kind of pain, but suffering nonetheless, and is stupidity on our parts to fight against His will.
When Jesus' disciples were caught in the wind in a boat they also feared greatly, knowing that the outcome was out of their hands. Matthew 8:25-27, “Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?' Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?' ” Jesus was none other than God in the flesh, and halting the winds was an amazing display of His power and might.
Nearly three hundred people were on board the ship, and had given up any hope of survival, when Paul spoke to them. Verses 21-26, “But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, 'Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you." Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.' ” Fighting against God will result in disaster and loss for us. But no matter how bad things get, even if it is a result of our poor choices and we only have ourselves to blame, there is always hope in God if we will repent and submit to Him. Throwing their food overboard was an act of faith that would certainly seal their fate, either Paul's God was real and would rescue them, or they would perish for sure. Likewise, we must also take drastic steps that demonstrate Godly sorrow with repentance.
“saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.” Acts 27:10-1
ReplyDeleteAlthough Paul warned the men of what was going to happen, they did not believe him. And because what they perceived as a sign, they went anyway.
Many people do not listen to the warnings today. They may be warned, but they go ahead and do it anyway because they found a sign that agreed with what their flesh wanted. However what was said was going to happen, happens.
We need to make sure that we heed the warnings, when they come, and not think just because we think their is a SIGN, that we are now okay to do what our flesh wants. Their will be consequence for our actions and just because we convince ourselves it is okay does not mean God does.