Acts 27:8-15

AT FAIR HAVENS. Acts 27:8-15.

Acts 27:8

and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:9

And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them,

Acts 27:10

and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.

Acts 27:11

But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul.

Acts 27:12

And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east.

Acts 27:13

And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore.

Acts 27:14

But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

Acts 27:15

and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

Acts 27:8-10 Why was much time spent at Fair Haven? Was it not in waiting for winds to change? But they did not change. The feast of the Jewish day of atonement (September 15 or 24) came and went and yet they remained in the habor. Soon it was October when the time for sailing was almost past. Something must be done for a winter's stay. Paul came forward with his advice. It was to stay where they were as it was too late for sailing and it would only result in a possible loss to the ship and injury to those on board. When Paul said I perceive he was speaking from experience and not necessarily from inspiration. This advice was offered to Julius, since he was the imperial representative and the one who seemed to determine the action of the voyage. The pilot as well as the owner had other ideas. And there was much to be said in their favor. Their argument was:

(1)

Fair Haven is not a commodious place to winterexposed as it is from almost every point of the compass. Besides that, it is a long way from any town and it will be indeed dreary and lonesome for the sailors.

(2)

Phoenix is only a short 32 miles up the coast (of course it is around the Cape of Crete but we can make it). This harbor will be perfect for our wintering. A south wind will soon spring up and we will be there before day dawns.

980.

What time of the year was it when they arrived at Fair Haven?

981.

What two arguments were used as to sailing for Phoenix?

Acts 27:11-15 The centurion listened to both sides and cast his vote for the owner and the captain. Sure enough a south wind did come up and they weighed anchor and pushed along the coast of Crete. The little boat that trailed behind was soon to be used as a means of landing when they reached their destination in the harbor of Phoenix. But after no little while the sailors must have looked up in alarm as the wind began to change and a great thunderhead gathered in the northeast. It proved to be the very tempest that they fearedThe Eurquilo or Noreaster.

982.

What encouraged the sailors to think they had obtained their goal?