Meet Euraquilo (Acts 28:)

Meet Euraquilo (Acts 28:)

⁹ Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, ¹⁰ saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” ¹¹ Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. ¹² And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

¹³ When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. ¹⁴ But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.^{[a] 15} So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. ¹⁶ And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. ¹⁷ When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis^[c] Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. ¹⁸ And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. ¹⁹ On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. ²⁰ Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

Intro)

1. Euraquilo is typhoon created when Idi mountain  2,456m(8078ft) located in Crete island's cold wind heading south meets warm south wind come across at high mountain, it creates s very strong wind and forms a typhoon.

As reference I looked it up about highest mountain in New York, and there was a mountain called Marcy, its height is 1,624m(5344ft). Mt. Marcy is shorter than Mt. Halla in Korea and shorter than Mt. Idi in Crete about 2734ft, so Idi mountain is quite high mountain.

2. However Euraquilo typhoon's background is like this. Jewish like Saint Paul were sued because they were spreading Gospel of Jesus. At that time period Saint Paul was accused as spreading Gospel of Jesus, however in Jew's country they didn't have right to proceed execution because Jew's country was colony of Rome. Saint Paul was taken to Rome to stand on court of law, but on the way they were planning to pass through Krete.

3. While sailing to Rome they stopped by Krete's harbor which located at the begging of island, and it called The fair havens. The fair havens harbor was hard to stay for long time and had many uncomfortable factors, so they decided to move to Phenice harbor for conveniences. During that time there was many typhoons come around the island and Paul warned them, although he was not in the position to give advice. centurion Julius usually listens to Paul's word, but this time he listened to ship owner's word and proceed the plan, which sailing to harbor Phenice

4. When they start sailing it seemed just fine, but on middle of their way they faced gale called Euraquilo. Gale Euraquilo was striking Their ship harsh, and the ship was in risk of sinking and lose of 276 lives.

 

 

 

5. In today's text verse 14-20 it says   14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.[a] 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis[c] Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

 

 But Saint Paul opens his mouth again. verse 21-26

²¹ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. ²² And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. ²⁶ However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.

³³ And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” ³⁵ And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. ³⁶ Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. ³⁷ And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. ³⁸ So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

 

 

As result, they emergency landed on island called Malta and none died. 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. 33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

 

Name of island, Malta means 'place where honey flows', and God amazing miracle happened.

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. ² And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” ⁵ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

⁷ In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

 

Saint Paul and party finally arrived in Rome. ( There are valuable lessons that we can get in here, what are they?)

Body)

A) There was a suffering from not listening God's word.

First thing we have to realize is that if we don't listen to God's word we will be suffer. Centurion Julius is generous man who helps others to make friends, but in making important decision he usually listen to professional than listening God's man's word. So, they faced Euraquilo because Centurion Julius didn't listen to God's word. In our lives we can easily ruin things by doing 99 things right and 1 thing wrong like broken car due to one damaged part of car.

We pray as Christian and work hard for God, however sometimes we head to other paths that God is leading by world's temptation. This could be a begging of tragedy. Think about David's, Samson's , and Eli's mistakes. They didn't lead their children to path of faith, but neglect them, so their house and family fall. There are times when parents have to punish their children to fix their problem, but Eli did not.

Bible says believe in Jesus, but if we don't and faces unfortunate death or fells in hell, whose fault is that? It's our own fault that didn't listen to God's word.

B) We have to realize how weak human being is

Centurion had faith on ship's size and ability. The ship were carrying 276 people , but this ship used to transport quite large amount of grains from Egypt to Rome, Therefore it seemed like it could be able to pass through typhoon easy. Centurion believed in ship owner's word because centurion figured there is none knows this ship better than anyone. Later on the ship encounters very strong typhoon and ship was out of control. Typhoon pushed the ship to north Africa's seacoast, and they had to give up on freights and life boat. They thought going on lifeboat will be hopeless. Here we need to know how weak we are, and discover amazing God who controls everything in this world. we will realize who we really need through desperate moment.

C) Never too late for God's grace

They couldn't see anything for 14 days, and they started to listen to Saint Paul's word. When they listened to Paul there was a salvation and God's consolation. People on the ship moved and ate under Paul's words, and things got better. Later on they found port and left the ship. people swam to Malta island.

Finally, although they lost their freights and ship, they saved their lives, but life was not the only thing they saved. what is it? It was Faith towards God and Jesus. Even sick native in Malta island people received cure . This is result of listening to God's word through Paul and believing in Jesus.

 Con)

Everyone, we do not need to face hardships by not believing in God's word. However,  let's think about how we are listening to God's word, and think about who is your captain of your life. Is it You or Freight? or God and Jesus who are source of wisdom and blessing? I want you to think about it deeply.