Scripture
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.
Reflection
This account is a great example of obedience and the result it brings. In verse 26 the angel of the Lord told Phillip to ‘get up and go to Gaza’ (suggesting Philip got interrupted with what he was doing) Once Philip arrived the Spirit told him to approach the chariot. It was only once Philip approached the chariot that he understood the purpose of his commission. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah (Isa 53:7-8). Strikingly enough these verses predicted Jesus’ suffering (see vv. 32-33). The eunuch however did not understand what he read (although he was a gentile proselyte to the Jewish faith (v.27). This led Phillip to explain the gospel to the eunuch, which in turn led to his water baptism (v.36-38). All this was possible because of Phillip’s obedience to God (Con).
Thoughts for the day
- How often does God interrupt your plans and ask you to obey Him?
- Are you only willing to obey God if He reveals the whole plan to you?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Stop and ask God to place a nation on your mind and heart. Pray for the people to blessed by God, the church to shine brightly and for God to be present in that place.
