SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for Today: 

Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

Key Verse for Today:

Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^[d]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30Then 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.

Observation:  Phillip is led by an angel to head south to the desert that eventually lead to Gaza.  Following directions by the angel was key to Phillip meeting the Ethiopian Treasurer.  All Phillip did was ask him if he knew what he was reading.  The response was how can I unless someone explains it to me. 

Application:  I love the honesty of the Ethiopian.  So many in our churches feel they know all the answers and never seek help.  It ruins our marriages and causes us to make poor decisions.  Part of every solution is the willingness to ask the right questions.  The Ethiopian was humble enough to get his soul saved.

Application:  What a great motif for the church!  To rally around those who desire to have the Bible explained.  These are the ones whose faith is growing and not stale.  The more we seek the more we find.  Ever since the church got out of the business of education in schooling during the day, we have struggled with how to educate our people when so few are dedicated to attending Sunday School.  The Great Shema is a foreign language to the parents of the 21st century.

Prayer:  May the Great Shema become real again in our churches!