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Shipwreck on Malta
Part-2
Ancient Roman commercial vessels were dependent on the stars the moon, and the sun for celestial navigation plus ocean currents and trade winds to reach their destination safely. Rome Italy was now the center of the new world and the Romans considered the Mediterranean - "Our Sea." Many tonnes of grain, fruit and wine were imported by ship from Egypt. Metals like Iron, bronze and silver were shipped from North Africa, silk and spices from the Far East were valuable commodities. The Roman Navy would send warships called Galleys' as an escort to protect the merchant ships from pirates.
Text: Acts 27:6-13
6There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus since the wind did not permit us to go farther we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone; 8 with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
6There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus since the wind did not permit us to go farther we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone; 8 with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
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| Roman Trade Ship |
II - The second leg of the voyage - Verse 6-12
a) life on board ship - verse 6
b) The sailing is slow and difficult - verse 7,8
b) The sailing is slow and difficult - verse 7,8
c) Paul's warning of a disaster - verse 9,10
d) Paul's advice ignored - verse 11,12
II - The second leg of the voyage - verse 6-12
This is ship #2 of Paul's voyage to Rome an Alexandrian "grain" ship. He has endured the last two years of his life confined to jail because of false accusations. As a Roman citizen Paul has the right to appeal his case before Caesar and so he is on his way to Rome for a new trail. The Apostle Paul is bringing the message of Jesus Christ, "The True Bread of Life", to Rome Italy - to Rome they must go!
a) Life on board ship: Julius found, "an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy.” Some commentaries say he may have commandeered the vessel to get on board and others say, he used "tea money" to get on board. We can't know for sure because the bible does not say. what we do know is it was an Alexandrian grain ship and it was very large and he, "put us on board." verse 6
Article by: Merchant vessels and maritime commerce in Roman times.
a) Life on board ship: Julius found, "an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy.” Some commentaries say he may have commandeered the vessel to get on board and others say, he used "tea money" to get on board. We can't know for sure because the bible does not say. what we do know is it was an Alexandrian grain ship and it was very large and he, "put us on board." verse 6
Article by: Merchant vessels and maritime commerce in Roman times.
Quote: "The crews provisions were stored in containers such as, amphoae, baskets or sacks. The ships food supply included drinking-water, wine, oil and fish paste (garum), also, solid foods like cereals, olives, fresh or dried fruit, legumes, smoked or salted meats. Extra clothes, shoes, rings etc were kept in little bags or boxes and they also played dice to while away the time at sea, and medicines were not lacking. For illumination they often used oil-lamps and small portable altars and images of divinities were set up on board ship. They would also fish to enrich the modest food supply."
b) The sailing is slow and difficult: "When we had sailed slowly for a good many days" Biblical experts on maritime navigation say that after the Alexandrian ship put out to sea they never found a safe port for anchorage until they reach the port of Fair Haven. ”with difficulty they had arrived off Cnidus." and, “the wind did not permit us to go any further, so we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone."-V7, (never finding safe harbor until), "we came to a place called Fair Haven."-V8
c) Paul’s warning of a disaster: The problems for Paul and his shipmates are just beginning, "Sailing had already become dangerous”, and now, "even the fast, (Day of Atonement), was already over, Paul began to admonish them.”-V9
Conclusion: I see God's Divine providence being fulfilled through the Apostle Paul and the people in his life.
1) Paul has Dr.Luke and Aristarchus as companions to help him carry the Gospel from Caesarea to Rome.
2) Julius shows kindness to his prisoner Paul and lets him, "go to his Christian friends to be refreshed."
3) Surely Paul's friends gave him gifts for his voyage and I surmise they were at the docks a waiting.
1) Paul has Dr.Luke and Aristarchus as companions to help him carry the Gospel from Caesarea to Rome.
2) Julius shows kindness to his prisoner Paul and lets him, "go to his Christian friends to be refreshed."
3) Surely Paul's friends gave him gifts for his voyage and I surmise they were at the docks a waiting.
Application: God's Divine providence for Paul was the right person at the right time. I can hear Paul and his companions praising God, singing spiritual psalms and hymns and making melody in their hearts to the Lord on this voyage. Jew and gentile, male or female, rich or poor, free or slave, all are one in Christ. God's provision for you and I is Jesus Christ and we should look for opportunities to be the right person at the right time and give God the glory! Our inner joy and peace is not dependent on our outer circumstance. What matters is the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ and the breaking of bread together on our knee's.
A Bible study by: Glenn Faurot
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