BIBLE STUDY LESSON 12

SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA

COMPELLED TO GO

THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY: MACEDONIA, GREECE AND TROAS

From Acts 20

When the disturbance in Ephesus was over, Paul called for a meeting with the believers. He encouraged them, said goodbye, and left for Macedonia. In each place he passed through along the way, he preached to the believers. From Macedonia he went to Greece, but learning of a plot against his life, returned through Macedonia instead of sailing directly for Syria, as he had planned. Some of Paul’s traveling companions went ahead and waited for him at Troas, including Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, from Thessalonica; Gaius, from Derbe; Timothy; and Trophimus, from Asia. When the Passover was ended, Paul and his companions sailed for Troas, arriving in five days, and there they remained for a week. The believers gathered for a Saturday evening service to break bread together. This was held in an upper room, lighted with numerous lamps. Since Paul would leave the next morning, he preached an unusually long sermon. About midnight a young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in an open window, became so drowsy that he couldn’t stay awake, and fell to his death three stories below. Paul rushed down and took Eutychus into his arms. [Don’t be afraid,] Paul said. [He’s alive!] Then everyone went upstairs again to finish the service, which went until dawn. When they all realized that Eutychus was alive and well, they were most grateful. Some of Paul’s companions went ahead to Assos by ship, while he travelled by land. There he boarded the ship and sailed to Mitylene, then the next day to a place opposite Chios, and the following day to Samos. One day later he arrived at Miletus. Paul had not planned to stop at Ephesus, which was close to Miletus, for he was anxious to get to Jerusalem in time for Shavuot. But when the ship docked at Miletus, he sent word for the elders at Ephesus to meet him there, so that he might have some parting remarks with them. [You all realize how I have served the Adonai humbly, even in the midst of tears and dangers from those who wanted to kill me. But no matter what happened to me, I always told you what you should know, both publicly and in the privacy of your homes, preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, urging them to turn from sin to YHVH through Yeshua Moshiach. [Now Ruach HaKodesh leads me to Jerusalem, where I am not sure what will happen to me, except that He has told me, again and again in each place I have been, that suffering and imprisonment are waiting for me. But my life has no value except that I do the work the Adonai Yeshua wants me to do, sharing the Gospel of YHVH’s grace with others. This is the last time you will see me. I want to remind you that I have faithfully presented the Gospel to you, so no one can blame me if you fail to accept YHVH’s message. But I want to leave a warning with you. Stand guard for yourselves and those whom Ruach HaKodesh has put into your care, for you are like shepherds over YHVH’s ‘sheep,’ which He purchased with His own blood. Savage wolves will come among your sheep when I leave, and even some of you will distort YHVH’s truth to get followers. So be careful. Remember how for three years I watched over you night and clay, mingling my teaching with my tears. In my absence I must commit you to YHVH and His Word of Grace, which will strengthen you and let you inherit from all those He has sanctified as His people. You all know that I have never tried to get rich, or acquire fine clothing, but have worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. Not only that, but I have set an example in helping the poor, for as Yeshua said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’] After he spoke with the Ephesian elders, he knelt and prayed with them. They wept, embraced him, and kissed him, and were most sorrowful that he had said they would never see him again. Then they said their final good-byes and escorted him to the ship.

COMMENTARY

LAMPS

The early believers did not have long-burning candles. They depended on small clay lamps for light. These lamps did not hold enough oil to burn all night. After four or five hours their flame sputtered and died. Most Roman lamps were shaped like a covered bowl with a spout on one side. The reservoir was filled with olive oil through a hole in the lid. A piece of twisted linen or flax was inserted in the side spout with its end in the oil, and functioned as a wick. Without a chimney to protect the flame, these ancient lamps gave only a dim and unsteady light. A few lamps were designed for special purposes. Some had chains so that they could be hung from the ceiling, others sat on tall stands which stood on the floor. Many had handles so that they could be carried easily from room to room. Although the poor man’s lamp was made of clay, many wealthy Romans owned elaborate bronze lamps. These were decorated with animal figures or famous scenes from Roman mythology.