Musick-al not # 158
In Acts 8:26-40, a eunuch of Ethiopia, a man of great authority under queen Candace had been to Jerusalem to worship. As he was riding home from Jerusalem, he was reading from the prophet Isaiah that stated, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth”
(Isaiah 53:7). It is possible that this very passage was one read in the temple the previous day and everyone discussed their possible meaning or it could be that this prophecy just happened to come into his daily reading of the Word of God. The prophecies of the Old Testament were usually a mystery to the Jews. Not because they failed to study but because the prophecies related to the future. The prophets were read by the priests and their meaning discussed with wonder. All prophecies were important so this one was important also.
His quest for knowledge was great and the spirit of learning caused the eunuch to invite Philip to join him. Philip was able to apply this prophesy as well as all those which applied to Jesus because it was revealed to him from the Holy Spirit. Phillip began at this scripture and preached to him Jesus speaking of His death that fulfilled the prophecies of the Scriptures. Hearing the gospel and believing that Jesus is the Son of God, he was baptized into Christ (Acts 8:39), bringing great joy to the eunuch.
In today’s world, with the written Word of both Old and New Testaments, one can easily see the connection of Old Testament prophecies and their fulfilment in Christ Jesus. One may even wonder why the Jews did not easily understand them. Perhaps the only answer is found in Paul’s statements in 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 and 4:4-4. At the same time Paul declared that those who believe and turn to the Lord will be greatly blessed because there is salvation in Christ (Acts 4:12).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 