Detail in the Drama.
Luke provides so much detail in the account of the ship voyage. Acts 27 could have said, “And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea. We experienced many days of difficult sailing in one of the most dangerous storms. All hope was lost, but Paul convinced the leaders to keep us all together and God would keep us all alive. The ship finally ran aground and every one made it safely to land, just as God had promised.” Instead, Luke provides details of names, places, events, even the number of people on the boat.
It is interesting that in some cases God gives us a simple overview of an event simply to connect point A to point B, but in other instances He provides particulars and steps involved.
Have you experienced that in your life? Have you wondered why there are times when it seems God paints broad strokes leaving so much to your imagination? Which do you like better – detailed explanations or general information? One tends to help us better understand God’s plan; the other tends to give us opportunity to trust His plan.
To me the details of the voyage help me to see how much God cared for His servant Paul as well as for the Gentile leaders and the vast number of prisoners. It gives me hope that He cares about my voyage as well.