A treasurer is expected to be good with numbers but can be excused if he is ignorant about prophecies. Here we have a state treasurer, a VIP, who was more interested in God’s Word than money. This Ethiopian eunuch was very interested in the Jewish faith, went to Jerusalem to worship God and while on his way home, was reading Isaiah (v.27f).  Around this time, Philip, the deacon (ch.6:5), very different from the VIP treasurer was exercising an active ministry of revival in Samaria (4ff). Suddenly, he was called by the Lord to go to a lonely desert road (26), without any clear indication of the reason.

For a while both men were mystified. The treasurer mystified by the Lord’s Word (32; cf. Isa 53:7-8) and Philip mystified by God’s call to a deserted road when he was so busy & effective in ministry. God’s Word defied reason for the treasurer and God’s instruction defied logic for Philip!  If we were the treasurer, we might give up; if we were Philip, we might do one of three things. One, we might argue with God or two, even disobey God or three, claim the message is not from God. But the treasurer did not give up and Philip obeyed.

Understanding came only when both men did what was planned by God. Both met and then both gained understanding – the treasurer understood the Word of God (v.35) and Philip understood why he was called to a “god-forsaken” place. It was a meaningful ending for both men, who parted as quickly as they met, after Philip accomplished his task (vs.34-39). It was a lonely desert road (v.26) but it was a road of blessing for both.

This incident appears like a parable of life – a life that we go through from time to time. As a parable the desert road is like the life we live. The desert can be harsh, inhospitable, lonely and depressing. In life we go through such hardships from time to time. But is the desert all that bad? Think of the good that came out of the lives of Moses, Jesus and Paul when they spent extended time in the desert. The monks of the Early Church also found the desert spiritually refreshing and recovered their spiritual passion. When we are willing to go through the deserts of life we will only end up blessed.  

This parable secondly, reminds us that when God’s will is obeyed, life becomes more special and significant. Philip could not see the logic of the Lord’s instruction (v.26), especially when he was in the midst of a real spiritual revival in Samaria and much still needed to be done. It must have been a real struggle but he obeyed in the end. The result was blessing for him in a critical ministry and for the VIP Ethiopian treasurer. We will not always understand God’s word for us but if we are obedient like Philip, and humble like the treasurer, we will be blessed. 

Is God calling you to something you could not agree with or understand?  God has the best in store for us.

The parable thirdly, reminds us that we must not only be open to God but others that we do not know or expect to know. Because Philip and the treasurer were open to each other, both allowed each to do what God intended, as mentioned before.  Often God will bring someone into our lives to bless us with his or her understanding, encouragement or warning. That person will not just be anyone but God’s appointed one. Yes, for each of us, God has specifically chosen someone to minister to us – what a privilege, honour and blessing. God looks into all the important details!

God has also chosen someone whom he wants us to bless, even as that person ministers to us.

Do you need pastoral guidance and care? Are you willing to be open to God’s choice of helper for you? If we are choosy or fussy, we will miss out on God’s blessing for us.

Are you like the Ethiopian state treasurer, needing help and feeling quite helpless, confused and frustrated?   Or are you like Philip, mystified by God and uncertain about His agenda? Both the Ethiopian and Philip teach us how to be open to God for what he thinks best and whoever he has appointed to help us. Are you willing and ready for that?

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