Acts 21 -- "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"

That old song describes well the dilemma Paul faced as he kept hearing from prophets and believers on his way back to Jerusalem.  The main discussion I noticed about this chapter in my commentary was "whether Paul was right or wrong in making that trip to Jerusalem."  Although he was an apostle, "keep in mind that he was a human being like anyone else.  His letters were inspired, but this doesn't necessarily mean that everything he did was perfect," my commentary added.

Should he have gone?  One argument was "the repeated messages do sound like warnings to Paul to stay out of Jerusalem.  For that matter, over 20 years before, the Lord had commanded Paul to get out of Jerusalem because the Jews would not receive his testimony."

On the flip side of the argument, "the prophetic utterances can be taken as warnings ("Get ready!") rather than as prohibitions ("You must not go!")."  The followers' statement in Acts 21:4 warning Paul not to go, when examined in the Greek, doesn't contain the word used for an absolute prohibition, but instead one meaning they thought it was not a good idea, my commentary said.  Also Agabus didn't forbid Paul to go to Jerusalem.  "He only told him what to expect if he did go."

"It is difficult to believe that the apostle deliberately disobeyed the revealed will of God," it said.  What might have happened had he not gone?  He might have eventually preached in Rome without being seen as a criminal or a troublemaker, but we'll never know.  It's tough to think about getting two warnings from God and still forging ahead when today we often desperately seek answers from God and wonder if we've heard from him.

Father, please help me to hear clearly from You when I seek answers to decisions You bring my way.  I know You are in control no matter how I respond, but I do desire the very best You have in mind for me, not simply Your ways back on track if I decide wrongly.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford