Tiny Clues...Do You Miss Them?

Read Acts 18:1-11

Title in NIV: Paul works with Aquila and Priscilla.

Paul went to Corinth. Claudius Caesar had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome at that time so Paul met Aquila and Priscilla. They were tent makers like Paul so he stayed and worked with them.

I love the tiny little clues the Bible has deep in its pages. Most of the time, I admit, I am reading to learn something profound or to have some sort or epiphany—an “Ahh ha!” moment. Realizing that Paul had a profession, a job, is one of those tiny details I missed. It made me realize, he had to balance his time, too, between speaking at the synagogues, making tent, selling tents, repairing tents and being one of the most important men used by God. I wonder…Maybe Paul was put in prison so he could focus on writing some of the books we read in the Bible and not his tent making job. Maybe Paul is a little like the rest of us and put other things before God sometimes. So, God helped Paul get focused and write His inspired Word by allowing him to land in prison where his focus was constantly on God’s Word. (Just a thought)

For a while Paul reasoned with the Jews and Greeks every Sabbath. When Silas and Timothy showed up, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews became abusive so Paul said, “Your blood be on your own heads. I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”  Did you find this little clue? There is a time to let people make their own choices and have peace in your heart that you tried all you could to help them realize all the freedoms Christ has for them. The Jews rejected Paul and stayed in their bondage (old law). Sometimes people don’t want to gain freedom in Christ because they think they will have to give up to much. I can’t imagine someone holding onto misery when freedom is being held out to them like these Jews. Being so comfortable in your sin that you don’t want to give it up to gain freedom is a scheme from Satan.

Paul stayed there a year and a half speaking to those who worshipped God. Titus Justus was one. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his whole household believed along with many Corinthians who believed and were baptized.

God told Paul, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”  How comforting! Apply God’s Word to your life and start speaking about Him today and do not worry about the repercussions.