Waiting in Rome

The book of Acts comes to an end with the Apostle Paul scheduled to have a court date with Caesar Nero himself sitting as judge. Paul awaits the arrival in Rome of his Jewish accusers. Luke provides us with these words:

Exercising his right as a Roman citizen, Paul demanded that he be permitted to be tried before Caesar. In a sense, he was appealing to the Supreme Court before a verdict in a lower court is released. It is hinted that had Paul not appealed to Caesar, he would have been released before the close of Acts.

The final chapters of Acts tell us of Paul’s trip to Rome. He accusers – the leadership of the Jews from Jerusalem – had two years to come to Rome and present their case against Paul. From what history and tradition provide us, Paul remained in Rome for two years under “house arrest.” It is doubtful whether the Jewish contingency bothered to make the trip to Rome.

For two years, the most dominant force in Christian evangelism sat under the watchful eyes of Roman guards. Why did God put Paul’s life on hold? What did he do during that time?

Why Wait?

The Bible develops several points that explain why it is necessary to wait for the timing and processes of the Lord. The concept seems important – the Open Bible lists 81 Bible verses that emphasize our need to wait upon the Lord. Let’s consider a few important passages.

Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9 NET).

Reasons to Wait

One of the reasons we wait is because God does not count or measure time the way we do. We have a schedule to keep – God does not. God had Israel wander in the wilderness for 40 years – not to punish them for a lengthy amount of time, but for all of them to learn the lesson and the truth, which required the death of some.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 ESV).

Another reason we wait is to allow time for our strength to be renewed. When we work hard physically, we need to rest and regain our strength so that we can work again. There are times when we work hard spiritually. But the hectic nature of our pace rarely allows us time to rest and regain spiritual strength. Sometimes God “puts us on pause” so that we can be renewed and prepared to soar.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long (Psalms 25:4-5 ESV).

Sometimes we wait so that we can learn. The psalmist says he waits all day for the Lord to teach him godly ways and lead him along godly paths. If God is asking you to wait, your Bible had better be open.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8 ESV).

Just as times of waiting should point us to the Scriptures, waiting for God should bring us to our knees in prayer. The psalmist encourages us to pour out our hearts to God. Waiting should strengthen and improve the time we spend with God in prayer. This verse deserves our attention to two more important details.

Waiting for God to Build Your Highway

During our times of waiting, we should see God as a refuge – a place of safety in the times of storms. Bask in the grace and power of God. Don’t plead with Him for things. Don’t ask Him to hurry His timetable. Thank Him for being your shelter and shield.

Finally, notice the last word of this verse. It is the word “Selah.” It is a Hebrew word that occurs 71 times in the Psalms and three times in the prophetic book of Habakkuk. Based on the context, most theologians believe it is a musical term and provides musical direction. The fact that it is found at the end of phrases, verses or chapters leads us to believe that it suggests a pause – a musical notation to “rest” if you will.

It is not easy to trace the etymology of this word. The word is spelled the same as the Hebrew verb סלה

(sala) which means to heap up. The word is mostly used about building highways. Highways come along when a heap of individuals trod the same route, creating a natural path. After a time, the government comes in and heaps up crushed stones upon the path, creating an official road or highway, making the journey easier and more directed for future travelers.

The command to create a highway for the Lord in the desert has little to do with Jeeps or Land Rovers. Instead, we are being asked to follow the same path, to be wiser and more efficient with the steps we take and the way we approach God. The concept is the same as the command to “lift up the Lord.” We are not to physically hoist Him up in our arms to the ceiling. Rather we should purposely place God into the highest priority of our lives.

A Musical Rest

In music, the people are not to “heap up” the volume of their voices and instruments but need to bring their musical tones into an amazing harmonious chord. A musician today might be instructed to resolve the chord as the musical expression comes to a pause.

Pour out your heart to God as you rest. Continue to rest, waiting for God to answer, strengthen, and direct you. Understand that you are waiting for God to heap stones upon the path He wants you to take. Bring the music of your life into perfect harmony with the Composer of all.

One final thought about waiting comes from Luke’s commentary at the end of Acts. He tells us that Paul was able to proclaim and teach about Jesus unhindered and with boldness. Perhaps God knew both what Paul needed – a time to not be chased from town to town by Jewish leaders – and a chance to talk about Jesus.

A Captive Audience

In the Roman world, spending time in prison was rarely a long-term punishment. People were rarely sentenced to sixty years in prison. Most prisoners were either awaiting trial or awaiting execution. Debtors could be imprisoned until their friends and family could pay off their debt (Matthew 18:30).

Conditions of imprisonment were linked to the status of the prisoner. Roman citizens were treated with respect. Non-Roman citizens – even those with political and financial clout – were often treated harshly. A Roman citizen awaiting trial was considered under house arrest. Though the prisoner and not the state paid for the accommodations – think of long-term renting of a motel room – this type of prisoner was typically treated under comfortable and favorable conditions. Discipline would have only been administered if the prisoner were behaving in a way that warranted a response.

Writing to Important People

In addition to sharing Christ with some very important and influential people, Paul’s waiting time allowed him to write some very important churches. “The Prison Epistles” are four of Paul’s books that were penned during the two year span of his Roman imprisonment.

The books written at about the same time are Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. Tychicus delivered Colossians (Colossians 4:7-9) and Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21). Onesimus accompanied Tychicus to Colossae (Colossians 4:9) and delivered the letter to Philemon (Philemon 10-17). The eight people that are mentioned in the four books are probably with Paul in Rome. They are Timothy, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Tychicus, Demas, Mark, and Jesus Justus. In all four books the content is similar, as is Paul’s condition (Colossians 1:24; Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 3:1, 13; Philemon 1, 9; Philippians 1:7, Philippians 2:17).

Time to be Thankful

One last positive outcome from Paul being forced to “wait” for two years in a Roman house prison. Paul was given time to pause and be thankful. His prison epistles underscore his grateful spirit.

We would expect a prisoner to say, “I am miserable!” Instead, Paul tells the Ephesians, “I am rich and blessed with more blessings than I can even count” (Ephesians 1:3).

We would expect a prisoner to say, “I am the most unhappy and disenchanted person in the world.” Rather, Paul tells the Philippians, “I can rejoice at all times and be content in whatever state I am in, even when I am in prison” (Philippians 4:4, 11).

Wouldn’t you imagine a prisoner to speak about their own personal needs? Paul tells the Colossians, “Christ is everything that I need” (Colossians 2:10).

We would expect a prisoner to put their faith on hold during the time in jail. Instead Paul preached the gospel to a runaway slave named Onesimus. That is the message of Philemon.