Page 68 - acts_study_book4

They have not thrown all of the food overboard; they saved a small amount. Paul now asks
them to eat the food for strength to make it to shore. Paul has taken command. In fear, no
one has eaten and they have lost track of time. Fear of death has kept them from eating.
When people are in fear, they need a leader to instruct them in doing the simplest of things.

Act 27:34 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."

Paul is using common sense along with the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Act 27:35 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.

We are not told that Paul witnessed to these people, although he probably does. When Paul
takes food, he prays and blesses it in front of them all (1 Timothy 4:3-4).

Act 27:36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.

They followed Paul’s leadership and also ate the food available.

Act 27:37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
Act 27:38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat
into the sea.

After eating they all went to work, both the crew and the passengers. Since wet wheat is
heavy, they throw out the wheat so the ship will not sit low in the water and become stuck
before reaching shore.
Act 27:39 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.

They see the shore, but this is an unchartered island. They have no map of where to land.

Act 27:40 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.

And when they had taken up (cut off) the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea,
and loosed the rudder bands (which held the rudder fast), and hoisted up the mainsail (storm
sail) to the wind, and made (moved) toward shore (the beach).

Act 27:41 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.

And falling into a place where two seas met (strong currents), they ran the ship aground; and
the forepart (bow) stuck fast, and remained immovable, but the hinder part (stern) was broken
with the violence of the waves.