(Read 1 Kings 8:41-4341Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; 42(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; 43Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. (1 Kings 8:41‑43); Acts 8:26-4026And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:26‑40).)
IN the first portion of Scripture to which I would call the reader’s attention, we have brought before us a bright moment in Israel’s history. Solomon occupies the throne of his father David. The Temple has been completed, and “the glory of the Lord” has filled it. Solomon is standing before “the altar of the Lord” in prayer.
After having made supplication respecting the people of Israel, he prays for the “stranger, that is not of Thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for Thy name’s sake (for they shall hear of Thy great name, and of Thy strong hand, and of Thy stretched-out arm), when, he shall come and pray toward thig house, hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for, that all people of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by Thy name.”
This prayer of Solomon was thus laid before the throne of God in heaven, His dwelling-place. And although THAT house in its glory had passed away, and another had taken its place, at the time-referred to in the second scripture we get an answer to the prayer after an interval of more than a thousand years.
But “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter in. 8.)
In the eighth chapter of the First Book of Kings the prayer is uttered; and in the eighth of Acts the prayer is answered, according to the integrity of the heart of God, and the subject of it is guided by the skillfulness of His hands into the way of blessing.
There are three prominent persons brought before us in this latter scripture: —
First, the SERVANT,
Second, the SINNER,
Third, the SAVIOUR.
On each of these I would dwell a little, but only as they serve to illustrate one grand prominent thought, namely, God’s interest in an individual soul.
1. The Servant.
First, then, let us look at the servant. Philip is a beautiful example of what a servant of God should be; and what I am about to add respecting Philip is exclusively for those who have “peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and are thus at rest in His holy presence, for only such can truly serve Him. (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).) Philip was at Samaria, in the midst of much blessing from the Lord, “and there was great joy in that city.” He has no plans of his own, but is directly under the control of his Master in heaven. He is serving Christ in PREACHING Christ. “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
Instructions could not be more simple or decisive, “Arise, and go toward the south,” etc. Mark the response! “And he arose and went.”
A servant is responsible only to obey. Philip had received his instructions from the Lord, and, whatever he may leave behind him in Samaria, he could say, The Lord knows best, it wilt arise and go. “As the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.” (Psa. 123:22Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2).) This is the true position of the servant, in every age and in every circumstance.
2. The Sinner.
I would now call the reader’s attention to the second person referred to, namely, the sinner, brought before us in the person of the eunuch. “Behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning.”
This is all that is told us of the previous history of this interesting man. He had lived in a far country, surrounded by idolatry, doubtless. He was in the midst of all that could make THIS LIFE pleasant and easy, inasmuch as Scripture tells us, he was a man “of great authority,” occupying a post of honor in the court of the Queen of Ethiopia. But in that distant land he heard of Jehovah’s “great name,” of His “strong hand,” and of His “stretched-out arm”; and the report of “the living and true God” had thus brought into his soul a yearning for that which the gods of Ethiopia could not give him. He, had everything for THE PRESENT, but had nothing FOR ETERNITY; and the gods of Ethiopia could not help him.
My reader should remember that God once had a place of distinct blessing on the earth; and, notwithstanding Israel’s terrible failures, until the Messiah came, and was rejected, Jerusalem was the recognized center of earthly blessing. The eunuch, therefore naturally connected the blessing of Jehovah with His House at Jerusalem. But how many difficulties and obstacles had to be overcome before he could approach its sacred courts. Scripture has not told us. We may safely conclude thus much: there were difficulties of no ordinary character resulting from the high office which he held, and then there was Satan opposing, in every way he could, the journey of this man from the place of Gentile darkness to the city of Jehovah’s blessing.
But there came a moment in the history of the eunuch that may be truly termed the turning-point when, in the presence of all the dangers and difficulties of the way, HE DECIDED to go to Jerusalem. What a sight for heaven! What an object for the ridicule of men in Ethiopia! And what an object for the hatred and opposition of Satan? Every movement of his heart in its longings toward Jerusalem gave its own delight to the living God. The necessary preparations for the long and wearisome journey, all, all, were watched with interest from above, with dark suspicion from beneath. Of the details of that journey we have no account. But this we know, that at last he neared the spot around which his hopes had centered. Can you not, beloved reader, imagine that stranger from “a far country,” as he approached the walls of the sacred city, delighting in the thought that at length he had reached the haven of his desire?
The record of Scripture is extremely brief respecting his visit. It merely states he “had come to Jerusalem for to worship, and was returning.” And why is the record so briefly given? I will tell you. He was TOO LATE FOR THE BLESSING AT JERUSALEM!
“Too late,” you say! “What do you mean?”
I mean that JESUS, the Son of David, the Son of God, had been and gone in Jerusalem before him. His sacred feet had trodden the courts of the house of the Lord, which, in the beginning of His ministry, He had fully owned as His Father’s house (John 2) But the people of Israel had refused to receive Him. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” (John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11).) He brought in His own Person light into the world, and they would not, have it, “because their deeds were evil.” (John 3) The Person of the Son of God they could not tolerate in their midst; and the unrebuked enmity of their hearts led them at last to be His “betrayers and murderers” (Acts 7:5252Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (Acts 7:52).) Outside the city of Jerusalem, in the place called Calvary, “there they crucified Him.” (Luke 22:3333And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. (Luke 22:33).) But before He left the city for the last time He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:3737O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37).)
From this scripture, beloved reader, you will notice that the Lord Jesus no longer owns the temple at Jerusalem as His Father’s house. He says, “YOUR HOUSE is left unto you desolate.”(vs. 38.)
I would entreat the reader to give these words his most careful attention. They demand very serious consideration, inasmuch as there is a principle of truth wrapped up in them which pressing Christendom at large has entirely lost sight of.
Let me explain what I mean.
God had, as I have already stated, a place of distinct blessing on the earth, the center of which was His House at Jerusalem; but over that once favored spot, the Son of God has written “Desolation.”
There are two great systems around us today. The one is the moral system, called “the world,” a system that has grown up by man’s departure from God. Over this, the Lord has written, “Judgment.” (John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31).)
The other system is that of an earthly religion. Such Judaism was, a divinely ordained system of religion, with an earthly temple and magnificent ceremonial. Over this the Lord has written “Desolation.” So that, apart from creation, all around that can meet the eye of my reader is lying under this two-fold declaration of the Son of God.
You may tell me I am seeking to draw a dismal picture. Well, be it so; for I grant most fully, that as far as the world and worldly religion go, the prospect is as dismal as death.
Now let us return to the eunuch. He has been to the “desolate house,” and is returning. Think you, beloved reader, that God is going to allow this soul to return to Ethiopia without the blessing he had so earnestly sought; going to let him return as he came, UNFILLED? Not so; the eunuch was an EARNEST man, and on his way home to that distant land of Ethiopia he is still in the search of that which his heart so deeply craved; he is found sitting in his chariot, reading the Scriptures.
Whether he got them at Jerusalem, or had them in his possession before he left Ethiopia, we are not told; but now that he has them, one thing is most evident, HE DEEPLY VALUES THEM. Not like many a Christless professor in the present day, who reads a chapter only on a Sunday, and gives the greater part of his spare time during the week to the novel or the newspaper; the eunuch was not a man of this kind. A shower of rain will keep such people away from a gospel preaching, but the eunuch crosses a desert in the search of that which tens of thousands around treat with utter neglect. And now, on his homeward journey, he is “in the way” to get the blessing.
Here we have again brought before us the servant, who is on the right spot, at the right moment. How beautiful are God’s ways!
“His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light.”
“The Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” The servant is ready: “instant in season and out of season.” “And Philip ran thither to him.” On the part of the servant there is no questioning; nothing but hearty and ready obedience.
The eunuch is reading aloud from the fifty-third chapter of the prophet Isaiah. Philip asks, “Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”
Philip has not left Samaria in vain. The living God well knows the need of this precious soul, and sends His servant to minister the desired blessing. Such, beloved reader, is HIS INTEREST in the welfare of the souls of men. (1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4).)
“The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? “Could ignorance be greater? He was reading the prophecy respecting the sufferings and the humiliation of the blessed Son of God; and he knew it not. He was truly, in this most important respect, an ignorant man; but he was not ashamed to own it. Reality and pride do not go together; but unreality and hypocrisy are ever twin companions. Where the soul is real, ignorance is no barrier to blessing. And I do most earnestly desire to impress the soul of my reader with the fact THERE IS SUCH A THING as deep, divine, eternal blessing!
Do you ask, Where is it to be found?
I answer; Not at Jerusalem, but in Jesus!
“And Philip opened his mouth, and BEGAN at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
3. The Saviour.
Here, then, we have brought before us the third person already referred to, namely, the Saviour. And if I have drawn a dark and dismal picture of everything around, I would now seek to bring before you a bright and a blessed contrast; a glorious scene of unfading brightness; a home above, on which “Desolation” never will be written; and a Person there, in whom “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col. 2:99For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9).) That scene is the glory of God; that Person is Jesus, the Son of God; refused on earth by man, nailed to the accursed tree, and buried in a sepulcher, “but raised from among the dead by the glory of the Father.” (Rom. 4:66Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (Romans 4:6).) He went up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God; “angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.” (1 Peter 3:2222Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:22).) It was the person of Jesus, the Son of God, that Philip thus announced to the eunuch. He presented Him as a present resting-place for his soul, and as a source of everlasting joy.
We find from Scripture that the eunuch in truth received Jesus as a Saviour; and, having owned His claims by baptism, he goes on his way rejoicing. His back is on Jerusalem certainly; but his face is now toward the glory of God. (1 Peter 5:1010But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10).) By the instrumentality of the SERVANT, this SINNER has been directed to the SAVIOUR in heaven, Jesus Christ, who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8).) The eunuch has learned, from the lips of Philip, the story of the Saviour’s cross and shame. “He preached unto him JESUS.”
Who can tell out all that is wrapped up in that most wondrous name?
“JESUS! how much Thy name unfolds
To every opened ear;
The pardoned sinner’s memory holds
None other half so dear.
JESUS, the One who knew no sin;
Made sin to make us just;
Able art Thou our love to win;
Worthy of all our trust.”
Has He not a claim upon the confidence of your heart, beloved reader? Who has such a claim as the One that died for you?
You may exclaim, What! died for me?
Yes, for you. Man in his wickedness nailed Him to the cross.
“Thy love, by man so sorely tried,
Proved stronger than the grave;
The very spear that pierced Thy side
Drew forth the blood to save.”
Reader, do you know this wondrous Person in heaven? Have you owned His claim upon you, and confided to Him the keeping of your priceless soul? You KNOW whether you have or not. The language of confiding faith is: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12).)
I warn you against trusting aught but Christ. We are living in a day when men are busily engaged in rearing PLACES attractive to the eye, and seeking to fill them with sounds that shall captivate the ear; but ON ALL THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS the Lord Jesus Christ has written “Desolation.”
May you, in your heart and soul, turn away from the PLACES on earth to the PERSON in heaven, and say to Him,
“JESUS, I will trust Thee, trust Thee with my soul;
Guilty, lost, and helpless, Thou canst make me whole.
There is none in heaven or on earth like Thee:
Thou hast died for sinners; therefore, Lord, for me.
“JESUS I do trust Thee, trust without a doubt.
Whosoever cometh, Thou wilt not cast out.
Faithful is Thy promise, precious is Thy blood,
These my soul’s salvation, Thou, my Saviour, God.”
E.P.C.