Day 337

R. Gospels of Matthew and Luke written {A.D. 60 (R) A.D. 40-45 (K)}
S. Paul's fourth missionary journey
1. Journey to Rome - Acts 27:1-44; 28:1-15
2. Arrival in Rome - Acts 28:16
T. First imprisonment {A.D. 61-63)
U. Book of Philemon
1. Greetings to Philemon - Philemon 1:1-7
2. Intercession for Onesimus - Philemon 1:8-25

As I was typing the previous day's post and the dilema faced by Festus, this day's reading started off with:

And it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius a centurion of Augustus' band. (Acts 27:1)

Nothing about what was decided to be told to Caesar.  Would sending someone to Caesar who was not worthy of anything, other than to be set free, be tolerated?

Browsing back through the passages, specifically the ones where Festus is perplexed as to what to write.  Gill's commentary:

Act 25:27  For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner,.... A man bound as if he was a malefactor, and guilty of some heinous crimes, to Rome, to be tried before Caesar:

and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him; for which he is a prisoner, and for which he is sent to the emperor: it seemed to Festus an absurd thing, and what might be justly looked upon by his master, a foolish, silly, and stupid piece of conduct, and void of common sense and reason, mere madness and folly; to send him a prisoner, and not signify in his letter to him, what was laid to his charge; and yet this was so dark and obscure, that he could not tell what to make of it, nor what to write to his lord about it; and hoped therefore, upon this re-examination of Paul before Agrippa, he should come to a more certain knowledge of this affair, and be better furnished to give Nero an account of it, to whom the apostle had appealed.

Nothing about what was decided, just get on the boat.

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already spent, Paul admonished them, (Acts 27:9)

I know, I cut it off in mid-sentence.  :-)  My focus was on:  the fast was now already spent.  What fast?  This is the third incidence (that I can recall at this moment) that Paul marks time by a feast/fast, some activity that the Jews would have readily been able to mark time.  The Gentile converts were obviously expected to understand as well.

Gill's commentary:  and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past; the Syriac version reads, "the fast of the Jews"; this was the day of atonement, which was the grand fast of the Jews, on which day they afflicted their souls, Lev_23:27 in memory of the worshipping of the golden calf; on that day they neither eat nor drink, nor do any work, neither do they wash, nor are they anointed, nor do they bind on their shoes, or make use of the marriage bed; nor do they read anything but sorrowful things, as the Lamentations of Jeremiah, until the setting of the sun, and the rising of the stars; and hence this day is called by them יום צום, "the day of fasting", and צום הגדול, "the great fast, and the day of the fast of atonement, and the fast of the atonement" (k): now this day was on the 10th of the month Tisri, which answers to the latter part of our September, and the former part of October; so that it was now Michaelmas time, when winter was coming on, and sailing began to be dangerous; about this time of the year the Pleiades set, which brings on tempestuous weather, and unfit for sailing:

The Day of Atonement - I was trying to find another chart or layout of the Jewish feasts and came across this one, Jewish Feasts Commemorated In the Bible.  That is the only feast that they fast...though it is not specifically called a feast.  The site referenced has nine (9) remembrances recorded, which are all in the Bible.  However, only seven (7) were specifically ordained by the Lord.  I find it interesting that the menorah, as described by Scripture, is seven (7) branched.  Three on each side with 1 in the middle.  Three spring feasts - one summer feast - three fall feasts.  Interesting.

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.  (Acts 27:35)

Would that have constituted partaking in remembrance of the Lord?  For those who were spiritually alive perhaps, but for the unbelievers?  Paul tells them that an angel of the Lord stood by him, gave him assurance that no lives would be lost, gives thanks to Father, breaks bread.  What a testimony, Father reaffirming that Paul is indeed HIS mouth piece.

Ponderables - is my life a reflection and affirmation of HIS working in and through me?  Do my actions, my words reflect a true desire to live in accordance and obedience to HIM?  Is my outward manifestation reconciled to the inward sanctification?  If my thoughts were broadcast before all, would I be able to stand before HIM in confidence?  How well am I battling to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?

How well does the Bride represent her coming groom?  How earnestly doth she look for HIS soon return?  How oft does she avail herself of reading HIS love letters to her?