Philemon 22 (ESV) — At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I
am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
NOTE: We get a
little insight into the personal side of Paul. I seriously doubt that
Philemon was going to start preparing a guest room for Paul or even to leave it
open for the next year. More likely, Philemon had a guest room that was always
open for visitors. While that may not have been true of most people, we have
indications that Philemon was wealthy. The church met in his home and he
apparently had servants. Also, since Paul never directly visited Colossae and
he knew Philemon well, suggesting that he had met him while Philemon was
traveling. And so the statement is made
almost tongue in cheek. Paul didn't need to say anything, but his humorous
comment tells Philemon that he is hoping to visit if released. Of course, he is
also hoping to go to Spain as well. Paul had a lot of dreams and not all of
them were fulfilled, showing that dreams and desires are not necessarily
indicators of God's will.
PRAYER: Father, help
me to separate dreams and your will. Give me contentment in the place that you
have "placed" me.
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