31-32. “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. ”
How important that principles given in God’s Word to guide our lives not be abandoned. If the sailors did not stay in the ship, it was doomed. If we do not hold the precious truths of God, our Christian life (though never eternally lost) and our testimony will come to ruin (2 Tim. 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)).
33. “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.”
Fourteen days is a long time to go without eating. Weakness, weariness and wasting can easily overcome a soul. That “day of all days” when Christ returns is about to dawn. Let us “feed” on Him daily that faith not be weakened, hope not be wearied, and divine love not be allowed to waste away.
34. “Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.”
We are to “desire the sincere milk of the word” as “newborn babes,” and we are also to grow into spiritual maturity so that we can feed on “strong meat.” Going through life without feeding and meditating on the Word of God denies both to those who are so precious to Christ that the “very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:3030But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30); Luke 12:77But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)).
35. “And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.”
In times of distress, nothing is more important than seeing an example of faith. Words, even of edification, exhortation and comfort, are ineffective if not accompanied by a living example in the one who speaks. The Lord Jesus left us an example (1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)) and we are to be an example (1 Tim. 4:1212Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)). Do we feed on and follow God’s Word?
36. “Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.”
What positive, happy results come of the beloved Apostle’s words and example! “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Prov. 17:2222A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)). Do we want others to joyfully feed on Christ? Are we doing that?
37. “And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.”
How can any comfort be found in “numbers” gathered together if they are sad, sick and succumbing to hopeless despair? Each one of those the Lord Jesus died to bring together in oneness with the Father and Himself (John 17:1111And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)) is individually important, and He desires our joy. “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:1111These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11)).
38. “And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.”
“Eaten enough”? Can we ever have enough of Christ? How often a beloved brother used to remind many of us that “you can have as much of Christ as you want, and your life shows how much you want.” Let us never “lighten the ship” let us never “cast out the wheat into the sea” let us never give up precious truth “as the truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:2121If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (Ephesians 4:21)).
39. “And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.”
Paul had earlier told them that no one on board would lose his life, but there would be loss of the ship. Though all he told them proved true, they still determined to “save” the ship by running it aground in a “bay” (JND) on a strand of shoreline.
40. “And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.”
The storm-tossed ship was left to the mercy of the sea and wind. Those responsible for control of the ship had refused the Apostle’s warning (vss. 9-11). Now their efforts to direct and control have become useless. Proverbs 29:1515The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29:15) warns of allowing a child to act in self-will while Galatians 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7) warns all of the “reaping” (“consequences”) from what is sown in our lives.
41-42. “And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.”
How often in storms caused by self-will, two opposing opinions cause those on a common course to run aground. Opposing views then begin to clash, causing “leaders” to become entrenched in their positions, rather than remaining united. The result is a smashing to pieces by the sea’s violence.
“The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Cor. 3:66Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)). One may be absolutely right and still cause destruction because of a demanding spirit of legality which, being stuck fast, will not move.
What a beautiful example and that in divinely perfect balance is seen in our precious Saviour. “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). If in the midst of severe conflicts the truth is held in a gracious spirit rather than the demanding spirit of legality, how much devastation might be averted? May we ever hold fast “as the truth is in Jesus,” for only in this way can we weather life’s storms.
43. “But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land.”
The soldiers had no thought of showing grace—they were going to kill all the prisoners (even though some might have been proven innocent if allowed to stand before Cæsar’s tribunal). The centurion’s respect for Paul saved the lives of all on board the ship. Respect for and obedience to Paul’s doctrine always results in spiritual life and liberty.
44. “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”
Perhaps some of the pieces of the wreckage were large enough to allow several who were unable to swim to get safely to shore together, while others swam or floated there alone. But they all escaped safe to land. Every believer will get home safe to the Father’s house (John 10:28-2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29)). Though sad that all believers are not at present publicly united as one, may we always, whenever possible, “follow righteousness, faith, charity [and] peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)).
Ed.