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Comment List
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Mel, I think the Holy Spirit was telling them all the same thing, namely that Paul was facing imprisonment and suffering in Jerusalem, but Paul received the message differently than the others. The others, hearing the same message from the Holy Spirit, took it as a warning that Paul shouldn't go, rather than a forewarning of what awaited him. In Acts, God told Ananias that He would tell Paul how much he would suffer for God's name. I see these messages from the Holy Spirit as simple fulfillment of that statement on God's part.
Paul knew what God had been showing him, so he was able to keep his eyes set on the goal before him, even when well-meaning brothers and sisters in Christ took the Holy Spirit's message in a way that it was not intended to be taken. My guess is that God gave the others those messages both as confirmation to Paul that he was on track and as a call to prayer for Paul's safety and spiritual well-being as he pursued the course God had set before him. Their concern for him probably clouded their discernment, though, and they interpreted the messages as warnings rather than simple statements of fact.
2007-04-25 08:24:56 Posted by Traci ()
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About what I was thinking, too, Traci. I had not taken it to the point of seeing their discernment as 'clouded', but you are probably right there as well. Maybe their judgement, then, was based upon a more 'worldly' concern for Paul (his physical well-being) while he, himself, saw it in a more 'Godly' context or frame of mind. Is that a fair restatement of what you just said?
And I don't think the others, expressing their concern, were wrong to do so. I think this is along the lines of Mary and Martha, when Martha got soooo upset when Mary wasn't helping her to be a good host. Christ did not tell Martha she was doing bad, (although, curiously, anxiety is mentioned in a negative way) only that Mary wanted what was better...
In Truth,
Mel
2007-04-25 09:38:15 Posted by Mel ()
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I think you nailed it, Mel, and I don't think they were wrong to express their concern; it would have been wrong, though, if they'd tried to prevent Paul somehow from continuing on his journey, since it was what God wanted Paul to do.
2007-04-25 11:38:55 Posted by Traci ()
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;'{P
2007-04-25 16:02:10 Posted by Mel ()
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Interesting question. I like Traci's answer.
But I also think its possible that God wanted Paul to make his commitment in the face of strong contrary advice. The others, then, would have heard what they were supposed to hear and were serving God's purpose.
This might cloud things for us when we seek advice for a decision, but the real answer is to trust that God is able to make himself clear to us. Our listening for His guidence shouldn't be simply ONE of our sources, it should be the only source.
2007-04-25 18:46:15 Posted by Jon ()
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And HIS Word is the source.
;'{)
2007-04-25 20:54:16 Posted by Mel ()
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