Acts 8:26-31 – Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 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,28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”” It is would be easy to read quickly through these scriptures and miss the “wow factor.” This story of Philip with the Ethiopian has plenty of “wow” in it. First of all, how many of us have had an angel of the Lord give us direction? Not me, not that I know of, though it is possible that I could have talked with an angel and not known (Hebrews 13:2). Certainly an angel appearing that we recognize as being an angel would be a very startling and humbling experience (Revelation 22:8). Angels are heavenly beings who are messengers of God. Therefore this angel had been in the presence of God and was bringing a direct message of God to Philip. Wow! Though we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) most of us would be very blessed to have such an encounter.
“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”).” So what did Philip do after hearing the direction from the Angel? He obeyed it. It would be natural to snap back “of course he did!” Yet Luke 16:19-31 teaches us that a person who would not obey the Holy Word of God is also the person who is likely not to believe a person who is sent back to tell them to get right with God. If a person will not accept and follow the Word of God, and the urging of the Holy Spirit, it is unlikely that they would listen even to an angel. However, those who desire to please God will obey. Philip immediately obeyed. Lord, may we be so obedient at every opportunity!
This Ethiopian eunuch was very likely to be so by his own decision. Although becoming a eunuch was certainly imposed upon slaves, servants and even advisors, it was also a known choice for some men to become a eunuch in order to become a trusted official of a king or queen. Obviously it was an extreme sacrifice and display of loyalty. As a result, they would often be elevated to positions that required great loyalty and trust. Obviously, he was rewarded by the queen he served. The name Kandake, or Candace (KJV) is not a personal name. It referred to a person of a queendom, to a queen in the kingdom. It was usually a hereditary position. The area of this queendom was from the south of Jerusalem at the Nile River. The actual queen whom this eunuch served is often thought to be Amanitore, though she may have been Amanitere. These queens were leaders of their country and lead and fought in the battles. They were strong women who led powerfully and have been depicted with weapons in their hands. Being in charge of the treasury of such a person was a big deal with great responsibility and power.
“This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.” This man was obviously, at the very least, a God-fearer. He had travelled a distance to get to Jerusalem and worship there. It is impressive that after travelling to get there, even though he was not allowed in the temple (Deuteronomy 23:1), he had not become bitter or angry but had continued to seek God through the Holy Scriptures. Yet, too many others, then and now, are told that their behavior must change to align with God’s will and instead of obeying and thereby being blessed, they reject, hate and deny God. Let us all be seekers of God such as this Ethiopian man.
“The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”” To start this journey an angel from the Lord appeared to Philip. Again, a visit from an angel to give us a message from God, wow! Now the Spirit of God spoke to Philip. Any way you slice it, another wow moment. The word translated as here as “told” is exactly what we would think it would mean, the Holy Spirit literally spoke to Philip. It did not mean that the thought was impressed upon him. The Holy Spirit of God spoke to Philip and he heard God speaking to him. It may have been a “still small voice,” or it may have been a powerful voice from without him, but God literally and audibly spoke to Philip. Now that is an even bigger wow! Yet, Family, we have no scripture that tells us we will discontinue to hear from God. In fact we have scripture to the contrary that tells us that we will hear the “voice” of our Savior and God (John 10:27). Completely determined by God, we may hear in a big and bold voice, or we may hear a tiny whisper, but we should hear. Furthermore, the word used here for “hear” is the same word that is used to tell us that God “hears” our prayers (John 9:31). How greatly God has blessed and honored us that we should know His voice. Family whether we were raised to believe in God still working in supernatural ways or not, God still speaks to us and we can still hear His voice and, my dear Family, that is supernatural! Praise God! God speaking to us is not by man’s individual inspiration or will, but solely according to the will of God. Amen!
“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.” Philip ran up to the moving chariot, though some believe this chariot may have been pulled by an ox, most believe it was being pulled by a horse, or horses. Perhaps for those who are inclined to question the supernatural, the ox may be what one chooses to believe was was pulling the chariot. However a chariot is usually considered to be pulled by horses and an ox would usually pull something referred to as a cart or wagon. For travelling distances, a horse drawn chariot rather that an ox drawn chariot would seem to be the choice for a wealthy dignitary. So assuming it was a horse, here is another “wow.” Since Philip ran up to the chariot, we can assume that his journey, at least that part of it, was on foot. So Philip ran beside a horse (s) drawn Chariot.
““Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” Philip asked the dignitary if he understood what He was reading. We know that the full understanding of the Word only comes through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). And the Ethiopian rightly responded that He did not understand and needed someone to explain it to him. So this God-fearing and seeking dignitary, who likely recognized Philip as of Jewish descent, invited him in. Family it was folly then, as it would be now, for a common person to run up to dignitaries such as this man and approach them uninvited. Yet, Philip having been directed by the Holy Spirit, boldly did so. We have to like this educated and wealthy Ethiopian who was humble and willing to be taught by a common looking man. We will see that God rewards his humility.
Again we have seen Philip immediately obey God and so he was used by God. May we be open to hear from God and then to immediately, and in obedience, respond to God. May that be true as we are used to minister in His name and may that be true as we cry out in desperate need. God desires to speak to us and we, as His children, are able to hear His voice. Family, I don’t tend to say such things as the following, so as not to appear proud, or to state the incredible, but I know the voice of God. I am not unique in that ability. God has equally enabled us all. If you haven’t been hearing from God, call out to Him to hear and know His voice, cry and plead if that is what it takes. Don’t stop asking until you do. It is what God desires. And there is no voice and no communication that compares. Praise God! Oh yes, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.