The Background
Before we get into it, let’s explain what is happening. First, Philip left Jerusalem and went to Samaria, where he met a man named Simon. Philip baptized Simon, then two apostles (John and Peter) visited to see all that was happening and brought with them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. After a rough discussion regarding buying the spiritual gifts, John and Peter returned to Jerusalem, and an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and told him to go to Gaza.
Philip has a good following in Samaria and a seemingly good-going ministry. But, unfortunately, Samaria was famous, and Gaza wasn’t that great. So, selfishly, it would be better if Philip stayed. But Philip listens to God and goes on his way! Amen.
Acts 8:26-28 (CSB)
26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.
While traveling to the place the Angel told him to go, he passes by a Eunuch. So let’s discuss this, Eunuch.
Who Is The Eunuch
A Castrated Man
The Eunuch was a castrated man. Jesus talks about eunuchs. He seems to support their actions when chosen to do so to worship God. The Pharisees question Jesus, asking him why Moses allowed people to get divorced, and Jesus replies by saying God doesn’t see it the same way as a man. Once married, in God’s eye, you are married (Matthew 19:6), but Moses allows it due to the people’s sin (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). And Jesus clarifies that if one is to divorce and marry another, they commit adultery, except for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). His disciples respond:
Matthew 19:10-12 (CSB)
10 His disciples said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry.” 11 He responded, “Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept it should accept it.”
A Man From Ethiopia
In today’s world, when we think of Ethiopia, we think of a land in crisis full of starving children. Countless organizations are trying to raise funds to help the children, the government, the people, etc. Ethiopia isn’t typically thought of as a fantastic destination place. But that wasn’t always the case. In biblical days Ethiopia was an enchanting land, and people were considered exotic. They were noble people who built cities of wonders. Brilliant philosophers came from Ethiopia. And this man came from Ethiopia too.
An Official of the Queen
Not only was this man from Ethiopia, but he was so highly respected that he was in charge of ALL THE MONEY for the Queen of Ethiopia! He was dedicated to her ministry. He was a castrated man, perhaps by choice, who devoted his life to serving the Queen and maybe even the Lord. Considering he left Ethiopia to worship at the temple in Jerusalem.
He Was Unable To Worship
Who knows how this man came to know about God? But he made the 2,500-mile trip in a cart to worship God and, most likely, rejected at the site on scene.
Leviticus 21:16-23
16 The Lord spoke to Moses: 17 “Tell Aaron: None of your descendants throughout your generations who has a physical defect is to come near to present the food of his God. 18 No man who has any defect is to come near: no man who is blind, lame, facially disfigured, or deformed; 19 no man who has a broken foot or hand, 20 or who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle. 21 No descendant of the priest Aaron who has a defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the Lord. He has a defect and is not to come near to present the food of his God. 22 He may eat the food of his God from what is especially holy as well as from what is holy. 23 But because he has a defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar. He is not to desecrate my holy places, for I am the Lord who sets them apart.”
Under the law of Moses, it’s specifically mentioned that those with deformities cannot enter and worship inside the template – especially those with crushed testicles. So he leaves, after purchasing a scroll of Isaiah perhaps, for the long road back.
A Message Of Hope For The Eunuch
As he made the trip back, the Spirit told Philip to go to the chariot. As he did, he heard the Eunuch reading out loud and asked him if he understood the prophecy Isiah was talking about:
Acts 8:29-35 (CSB)
29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth.33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.
We can understand that Isaiah was talking about Jesus, but at this time – it wasn’t common knowledge, and Philip proceeded to tell the Eunuch about Jesus. He is reading from Isaiah 53. One could easily guess he continued reading, perhaps into Isaiah 56.
Generation For Barren
You have a castrated man, unable to have generations after him. He reads scripture about a man slaughtered before raising children, discussing his future generations. Who can speak of the Messiah’s descendants? Jesus can. He is the only one who has died without having children leaving a generation behind him. Only Christ rose from the grave and adopted us into his family.
Romans 8:17 (CSB)
17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
And for perhaps the first time in the Eunuch’s life, he hears that the time is now to be included. God isn’t in Jerusalem. He is in the Church of Jesus Christ. He will be given a name better than sons and daughters! The Eunuch will be given an everlasting name!
Isaiah 56:4-5 (CSB)
4 For the Lord says this: “For the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, and choose what pleases me, and hold firmly to my covenant, 5 I will give them, in my house and within my walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each of them an everlasting name that will never be cut off.
And the Eunuch can’t wait any longer!
The Eunuch Is Baptized
He can’t hold it in! He stops the Charriot. The Eunuch has heard the message of Jesus. He understands he is a man deserving of death. He chooses to die in the water of baptism and rise into the new life of Christ!
Acts 8:36-40 (CSB)
36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
And just as soon as Philip arrived, he was gone. So the next time we learn about Philip will be in about 20 years, with four virgin daughters with a very lovely ministry in Caesarea (Acts 21:7-9).
