13. “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”
The Lord tests the reality of our desire to serve Him—not to discourage or turn us aside, but to strengthen and purify, while showing us that our “strength is made perfect in weakness” (see Mal. 3:3; 2 Cor. 12:9).
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12). John Mark followed Paul and Barnabas as their minister—though he was not specifically called by the Spirit as they. His faith and exercise are tested and do not seem able to endure—to meet the opposition of a Bar-jesus. Happily, he is later restored to useful service (2 Tim. 4:11).
14-15. “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
Paul, carrying the gospel to the Jew first, shows a lovely attitude of humility. Though sent on a special mission by the Spirit of God, the beloved Apostle does not force himself on the Jews in the synagogue. He and Barnabas sit down and wait until the Spirit, by moving the rulers to invite them to share a word, gives liberty for them to preach. May we always seek the Spirit’s leading in preaching the gospel and ministering—whether in season or out of season.
16. “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.”
What Paul was about to share did not come from a casual spirit of indifference. His heart, yearning for his people’s blessing, causes him to express those feelings by reaching out with his hand, imploring, inviting them to listen. Let us, with the same heartfelt longing, preach and live the gospel today.
17. “The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought He them out of it.”
We find in these verses a wonderful pattern of Christian exhortation (1 Cor. 14:3; 1 Tim. 4:13). First, Paul reminds them of God’s grace shown towards the nation of Israel and then of the power He used on their behalf.
18. “And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness.”
Next, in exhortation, there is remembrance made of human failure and His ceaseless divine patience.
19. “And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, He divided their land to them by lot.”
Exhortation reminds us that it is His divine strength which gives victory over the enemy and His divine love that gives such wonderful blessings.
Let us be exercised (Heb. 10:25) to allow this pattern to guide our exhortations, that true Christian growth and blessing might result.
20-21. “And after that He gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.”
God’s desire for man’s blessing is clearly shown. Having given to His beloved people the land of Canaan, though they failed, Jehovah raised up deliverers (judges), and when they too failed, He raised up Samuel, who as a prophet brought the mind of God to them. Still unthankful, they said, “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5).
God gave them their request—King Saul—“but sent leanness into their soul” (Psa. 106:15). How solemn to repeatedly reject divine exhortations (no matter who the channel God uses may be), following instead a path of self-will and disobedience.
22. “And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.”
Saul (a picture of the flesh) fulfilled his own will in opposition to the will of God. But one man was found who answered to the heart of God. Though there was failure (as we all fail), David’s heart was fully set to do God’s will. David’s life presents a lovely picture of that one perfect Man, Christ Jesus, who alone could say, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). May we, in our measure, ever be found walking in submission to His perfect will.
23-24. “Of this man’s seed hath God, according to His promise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: when John had first preached before His coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.”
What blessing comes from submission to the will of God! Though David rightly calls Him Lord, Messiah was to come of the royal line of David (see Matt. 22:42-46). We also see what blessing could have resulted in Israel had the leaders repented at John’s preaching. How vitally important is repentance, both for present and eternal blessing!
25-26. “And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not He. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.”
The one whom the Lord Jesus called the greatest prophet born of women (see Luke 7:28) manifests a morally fitting attitude of humility when referring to Messiah. Today among professing Christians there is a very sad lack of reverence for the Lord Jesus and of holy fear of God. May we become, in our spirits and ways, more like John, who evaluated everything in view of the glorious person of the Son of God.
Paul’s message reaches beyond the bounds of the stock of Abraham to any who feared God. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (Prov. 22:4).
Ed.