Wednesday, 29 April 2015
But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 16:8
There are often little clues interspersed throughout the book of Acts and the Epistles to show us when books were written, where they were written, etc. The book of 1 Corinthians is known to have been written at Ephesus based on this comment here. Paul was there and decided that he would stay there “until Pentecost.”
Pentecost would have been known to the Jewish believers as the Feast of Shavuot, or Weeks, from Leviticus 23. Further, the believers – both Jew and Gentile – would know that this was the day that the Holy Spirit descended on the believers in Jerusalem, thus initiating the church age. Paul will explain in the coming verse why he was to tarry in Ephesus until this time. After that, he would continue with his travels.
The period in Acts which this points to is found in Acts 19. It is noted, however, in Act 20:16 that he amended his plans and decided to arrive in Jerusalem prior to Pentecost. Things kept creeping up in his life which caused plans to change, but he accepted them and continued on in the understanding that the Lord was directing his feet according to a higher wisdom.
Life application: If you are being obedient to the Lord and seeking His will in your life, then wherever you are is exactly where you are supposed to be. He is using you and directing you, even if it might not always seem that way.
Lord, it sure is nice to know that wherever I am, it is exactly where I am supposed to be. If I wasn’t Your servant, I would always be wondering if I was doing the right thing or making the right steps in life. But because I am Yours, I am completely confident that where I am is where I should be. You are directing me according to Your wisdom as I walk along this highway which You have set before me! Thank You for this. Amen.