Acts 8: 26-34 Do you understand what you read?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  How oft do we see words, yet they fail to penetrate our thoughts?  We call out words on a page yet no comprehension.

  Let us look at Philip and his encounter with the eunuch from Ethiopia.  First the LORD spoke to Philip through an angel - ²⁶ 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.

  Philip obeyed and then he encountered the eunuch who was the chamberlain to the Queen of Ethiopia - Candace - ²⁷ And 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,

  This eunuch has a very high position - in charge of the treasure - BUT - he came to Jerusalem for worship.  This Ethiopian was reading from the prophet Isaiah, yet not really understanding what he was reading.  The eunuch ²⁸ Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.(Esaias is Isaiah)

   Then, as often happens to us, the spirit of the LORD moves on Philip (the difference is Philip responded to the spirit, often we question in lieu of obeying) urging Philip to go nearer the Ethiopian.  ²⁹ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
³⁰ And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
   The time for evangelism is always present and so, Philip goes near, no, he "ran thither to him" , yes, he ran.  Once close to him Philip heard him reading  Isaiah and then asked the question we often ask each other:  Do you understand what you are reading?

   Now the Ethiopian says basically, nope, I don't understand a word and I need a teacher to explain it to me.  ³¹ 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.

  At this point it is obvious God is involved since this eunuch from Ethiopia, who knows not Philip, says I need a teacher - come up and sit with me - teach me.

   ³² 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:
³³ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
³⁴ And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
   Obviously the eunuch is still living under the law and not aware of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the point of entry for salvation.  The scripture is Isaiah 53:7-9.  The eunuch asked Philip whether or not the prophet was speaking of himself as the sheep before the slaughter and the lamb dumb before his shearer or was he speaking of some other man.

  Now comes the time for Philip to reach out and teach of Jesus Christ.  We'll start here tomorrow.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny