May 21 Devotion

Read Acts 8:26-40

A eunuch was servant of a royal or wealthy individual who could be trusted with the official's belongings and women (harem) because the eunuch was incapable of sex (and the sexual drive) due to castration and lack of hormone production.  Gruesome realities of the ancient world.  Such asexual individuals like eunuch would not have been allowed to enter the Temple complex in Jerusalem to worship during the days of the New Testament.  Eunuchs also have no legacy, no children, and no possibility of family life (including opposite sex physical relationships) in this life.

The fact that Philip discovered this eunuch reading Isaiah is not a surprise considering these verses from Isaiah that would likely have been a favorite among foreigners and eunuchs:

Isaiah 56: 3 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let not any eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree."4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant-- 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-- 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Jesus had quoted from verse 7 of this passage in his condemnation of the Temple complex in Jerusalem.

 

What is the purpose of this story in the Book of Acts? Everyone is now welcome in the Kingdom of God. Jesus who also was cut off from this life and was without children was crucified but has been resurrected.  Good news for all. Even eunuchs have a place in the people of God. No people group on earth is outside the reach of God's love and mercy.