act 21v18 26 Pauls Error and Gods Providence
PAUL'S ERROR AND GOD'S
Acts 21.18-26
Paul was tired of the isolation
and suspicion he had for so many years experienced among his Jewish brethren.
He could take the persecution from without. But the isolation and reproach he
received from his brethren within the church must have been too much to bear.
The old warrior knew that his warfare was about over (
I know something of how he must have felt. For the
past nineteen years hardly a week has passed without some legalist trying to
persuade me that we must still keep the law. Sometimes I think, "What's
the use? These peddlers of law will never see their error. Wouldn't it be
better to give in and be at peace with them?" No! I am sure Paul regretted
this action. It was after this that he wrote his strongest injunctions against
the observance of the law in any form, in Galatians and Colossians. Besides the compromise did not appease the Jews at all (vv. 27-36).
It is a vain thing to think we can please men and win their approval to the
gospel by compromise, or by catering to their points of rebellion, no matter
how insignificant those points may appear to be.
Yet, God, in his wise and adorable providence,
overruled even this sad event in Paul's life to accomplish his purpose. This
too proved to be good for Paul, good for God's elect, and for the glory of God.
Had Paul not gone to the temple that day he would not have been arrested, he
would not have gone to