Acts 11:11

Friday, 28 October 2022

At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Acts 11:11

After Peter explained that the object with all the animals in it had been drawn up into heaven, he now says, “At that very moment.” Though the intent is the same, the Greek more closely says, “And behold, immediately...”

Exactly as the vision ended, the next event occurred. Because the two events are connected, as he later discovered, it highlights the purposeful intent of the vision coming at the exact time it did. The next event is that “three men stood before the house where I was.”

As noted in the previous commentary, it seems that there may be a connection between the three times the vision repeated itself and the three men coming. Peter would possibly have made this mental correlation. Whether this is the case or not, the three times the event occurred were certainly provided to ensure to him that God had determined the matter and it was set. God determines what is clean and what is unclean. When He does, the matter is settled. With this stated, the verse finishes with the note that the men were at the house, “having been sent to me from Caesarea.”

The length of such a trip meant that the arrival could have come at any time. Peter had no idea if they left long before sunrise or if they left the day before. They may have made one stop or four. All he knew was at the exact moment the vision was complete, these Gentiles had shown up at his door. The connection was obvious, and he is explaining it as such to those before him.

Life application: There are certainly times in our lives when something happens, and we struggle to understand why things occurred as they did. It may be the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a flat tire on the way to Bible class.

At such times, our confusion about the matter may cause frustration, sadness, or other feelings that burden us. And yet, in due time, the event brings about some other event that perfectly suits our life. If that thing didn’t happen, then this thing would not have happened. Such things may be “time and chance” as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 9:11, or there may have been a greater purpose that God intended all along.

Either way, we cannot change time and chance, and we cannot know what God has planned. So, we should do our best to take life as it comes and have gratitude towards God in all things. One thing is for certain: He has a grand plan that is being brought about and we, because of our faith in Jesus, are a part of that plan. So, let us be convinced that our lives are being directed toward that good end.

Because we are in Christ, He is carefully tending to us each step of the way. Let us be confident in that. David had that attitude. He may not have had all the information concerning a given matter, but he handed the events of his life over to the Lord –

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

Let us have a like-minded attitude. Let us wait patiently on His guiding hand in all things.

Lord God, thank You for directing our steps on the path of life. We may not always know where the next step will lead, but we can be confident that, ultimately, they all are getting us to the wonderful goal which You have promised Your people. Thank You that our path is known to You and that You are directing us on it according to Your wisdom. Amen.