Acts 21:1-6 – After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
“After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara.” This refers to Acts 20:36-38 where Paul was saying goodbye to the Ephesian believers at Miletus. They were distressed that they would not again see their beloved mentor Paul. They would have preferred he just stay with them. They wanted to hold onto him. Though they loved him greatly, Paul had to remove their hands and sail on to a very understood troublesome future. I can think of a time of having to release a greatly loved one. It is never easy and can be tortuous.
“We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.”
“We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Although Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem in order to be there at Pentecost, at Tyre the ship that he was on needed to unload and load cargo and that was going to take seven days. So Paul sought disciples to minister to. No vacationing for him. The word “aneuriskō” translated here as “sought out” is more descriptive than “finding” in the KJV. The word is used to express to find out by actively searching. It is the same word used to describe how the shepherds searched until they found the newborn Messiah (Luke 2:8-16). So here Paul arrives and must wait seven days for loading and unloading of the ship’s cargo. He certainly deserved a break. But he did not do that he actively sought out Believers in the area so that he could minister to them. We should all have God fully on our minds that we seek out other Believers even when we travel. Going to be in another town, state, or country? Visit a bible believing church and enjoy finding out that wherever we go in the world there are those who love and seek Jesus using the same Word that we use. It is wonderful to experience the love of God through those from other areas of the world. We are all Brothers and Sisters, loving God and His Word and it is a great comfort to experience that.
Again Paul was warned that in Jerusalem he would face life threatening danger. The Believers in Tyre who had the gift of prophecy warned him of the danger. Paul heard it, and believed it, but went anyway. We know how it ended up for Paul. So was Paul wrong for not heeding the admonition of those who told him not to go to Jerusalem? No, he was not. We see that those who prophesied gave a true prophecy that would come true. No doubt about that. However, these Believers then, loving Paul, drew the wrong conclusion. Sure, Paul faced danger, but the Holy Spirit never told them to tell Paul not to go. The Holy Spirit was informing and preparing Paul for what would happen when he got there. Those of us who have the gift of prophecy must be careful to add nothing to what God gives. If God gives us a warning, then warn. But if God gives a warning but no direction, then don’t feel the need to give advice. Even if asked for advice only respond that you may give your own advice as requested, but that the advice comes from you and not from God. So Paul again heard that danger awaited him in Jerusalem, but he knew that it was the will of God for him to go there. After all, Jesus knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem, but He would live out the will of God that He was called to do. Paul was in very good company. People who love us will warn us and declare that avoiding danger is the Word of God, however, that is very often just their love talking, which is so wonderful, but also it may not be the will of God.
“When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.” As in Miletus, the disciples worried for Paul and did not want him to go. As in Miletus, Paul knew what he must do and that he did.
Let’s consider if the brothers and sisters that were present with Paul regretted walking out to the beach with him? They had expended their energy, some surely gotten tired, sore and hurting, and some of them probably had complaining kids with them. But they came. And they were blessed and we can be sure that not one of them wished they had not been there to see Paul off. Even their kids would remember the great moment. Let’s visualize it, they were with the great Apostle Paul and a host of others whom God greatly used to encourage and build them all up in the faith. Before he died Paul would write most of the New Testament. Perhaps he prayed and the Lord healed some, or many of them. After spending this time with him they went to the beach at the Mediterranean Sea, knelt in the sand, and prayed together. Wow! Which one of us would turn down an experience like that? What a blessing! Family, today, every day, God has blessings for us. We will miss every blessing if we don’t show up where God wants us to be. Every one. Let’s not fail to continue to meet together and hunger for the blessings that God will pour forth. Hebrews 10:25 tells us “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By putting other things before church, or bible study, or just fellowshipping over dinner and praising God we miss out on blessings. And when we continually put the kid’s events before meeting together to praise God, then we not only rob ourselves of great blessings, but we, yes we, rob our kids of those blessings. And we train them that other things are more important. We all should be wise. Nothing before God! In all things let us praise and honor our God! (1 Corinthians 10:31) 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.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”