23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
Verses 23-31 show how the apostles accepted Paul’s credentials.
9:23
Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
The “many days” here are the extensive period Paul spent in Nabatean Arabia after his conversion (Ga 1:17-18). The author Luke did not develop what happened during these days, but God’s purpose for him was to maturate his faith. This season occurred between verses 22 and 23. He went back to Damascus, then after three years, he went to Jerusalem (Ga 1:18).
To authenticate his credentials, Paul made it clear in Galatians 1:17-18 that he did not consult with the apostles from Jerusalem; it was a time between him and the Lord alone in the desert. Paul did not receive his credentials from the apostles in Jerusalem; he received a direct call from God.
PRINCIPLE:
There are times when Christians need protracted time with the Lord alone.
APPLICATION:
There are times when we need to come to grips with our faith. We need to pause and reflect on what our Lord means to us. This period should also be a time of re-evaluation. God put Paul in a desert experience to prepare him for a great ministry (Ga 1:11-17).
God has a purpose in the adversity we face. Prosperity tends to make us self-sufficient. Trouble tends to purify our souls (1 Pe 1:6-7). As pain is a signal for infection, adversity from God is a sign that we may need to cleanse our souls.
