The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 279

uttero.nce pf that word eeeme to dlecho.rge o.11 debt connected with it, It ie not treated as o. snored sym_bol of untold depth o.nd breadth, o.ncl a mercy of meaning only thinly veiled boneath 1t, 1. We mo.y be very sure that the eunuch would have been fir.st to desire to 11clcnowledge the help that he had received from Philip. What he may nave tlwugbt of his sudden appearance, of hie placing himself so as to overheo.r his readin"' of that sacred scroll, and of hie o.<ldressing to him the somewhat gro.tuitons question~ "Understandest thou what thou readest?" we know not, but evident it is that he both courteously and gladly received the proffered intrusion, nor regarded it as intrusion. He was well repaid. Philip expounds to him the Scripture, and "preaches to him Jesus;" and soon after is the minister to him of baptism, and nor asks nor takes fee or reward, but, so soon as his service is fulfilled, he has vanished. Was all this chance ? If the Ethiopian thought it was, or did not think it was not, it may be in some measure forgiven alike to his education and want of education. But he does not strike us as tbe man certain to fail or likely to fail in matters of spiritual discernment. Be this as it may, we know that there was no chance about it, but distinct design and preparation, So this visible human contribution of help, gratefully received and no doubt unstintedly acknowledged in the heart of the Ethiopian, owned to an unseen friendly power. It was a notable instance of a "stranger" being" unawares an angel." A.nd our human friends, and the visits of their sympathy, their voice to encourage, or to exhort, or to rebuke, may often be "angels' visits." Pity two things-(1) that they are not in fact more often so; and (2) that we do not oftener recognize them and use them as such, when they are in truth so ordained. 2. More remote still, there was friendly agency, unknown, unsuspected by the man who took all the benefit of it. Philip himself did not come; he was sent. .A.nd the Ethiopian's greater and devouter thanks belong to him who sent. So it was once that there was "no eye to pity, no arm to save." And the majesty and sovereignty and might of highest heaven inter- posed. .A.nd to these behind and above all means and methods and "instruments," belong the glory, gratitude, and endless praise. The "angel of the Lord" (ver. 26) appeared to Philip, and told him the way in which he should go; and Philip went, obedient, unquestioning, though there was room for two or three questions. Like Abraham, "he went," presumably (ver. 29), at present," not knowing" why he went, though he did know the unpromising "desert" where. .A.nd this was no chance, nor was it what happened as a sign and wonder in the one solitary history of this Ethiopian. It is what often is taking place. It is in human life, not deserted, forsaken, " despised• of God, to be also often befriended, and most graciously befriended by him. 3. A. third friendly interference is vouchsafed in the behalf of the Ethiopian. Philip has reached "the way from Jerusalem to Gaza;" and probably he knows the" desert" heat and drought, and the unrefreshing barrenness of the route. .A.nd he is going to cross the path of the traveller's chariot, or rather be left behind of it and miss it. We need not suppose that Philip was not wishful to be "instant in season and out of season." But for whatever reason, be needs the direction of "the Spirit" (ver. 29), and that Spirit interposes and instructs and commo.nds. These o.re of the gracious Spirit's chiefest functions-to arrest, to inform, to command. And still it is all for the help of the unwitting Ethiopian travelling from the worship of Jerusalem, using well even travel- ling-time, and living true to such light as he had, The fuller day was near at hand for him. Long time, perhaps, had glimmering rays been straying in, and be had wondered what they meant, and they bad made him long for more light and feel for it with many a groping. Thus" he that seeketh findeth." Full conviction, full satis- faction, full faith and peace and joy are his reward (ver. 39).-B. Vers. 1-4.-Providence making missionaries. The disciples of the Lord Jesus were to be missionaries, going everywhere and preaching his gospel to every creature. But they were to begin at Jerusalem, and there wait for" the promise of the Father "-the Divine endowment of the Holy Ghost. Thou they were simply to follow the openings of Divine providence and the impulses and leadings of the Divine Spirit. They evidently nt first scarcely understood what their work was, or how it was to be begun. Prejudices hindered them; difficulties blocked their way ; it would seem to them tha; their lives would be imperilled by exciting public attentfon to them ; aud on the day of Pentecost they wore simply borne beyond themselvr-..s and above their feara, and  278 THE AOTB OF THE APOSTLES. [oH. vm. 1-40.